Player Ratings - Round 17

The Western Bulldogs put their destiny firmly in their own hands in the race to the finals, bursting out of the blocks to record a 36-point win over Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval (yeah, it's been that kind of season) on Sunday.

The win temporarily lifted the Bulldogs into seventh spot on the ladder, and it means that a victory against Fremantle next week will guarantee finals action for the Bulldogs. But which players stood up to put us in that position?

1. Matthew Suckling

His first game for quite a while, but he didn't have a huge impact. In fairness, he'll be happy just to get through the match as the Dogs edge closer to finals. Played a similar forward role to what he has been used to this year, but didn't score - 3

3. Mitch Wallis

Managed himself a nice goal, but also picked up two goal assists and two tackles inside 50. Not his biggest afternoon this year, but a nice little performance - 7

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Speaking of big afternoons. 28 disposals at 82% (including 17 contested), 11 clearances, eight marks, eight inside-50s, six tackles, and six score involvements is a very big game for a very good footballer. The most ridiculous part of all of this is that it might not even be enough for the three Brownlow votes - 9

5. Josh Dunkley

Starting to get motoring now, with a few games under his belt after returning from injury. Playing in the midfield is helping matters, as well. 20 disposals and 10 tackles in a tireless performances, with four of those tackles being laid inside 50 - 8

6. Bailey Smith

Another all-action display in midfield. He had 25 disposals and basically did as he pleased, working his Hawthorn opponents over all afternoon. A classy, over-the-shoulder goal in the second term will be one to look out for on the highlights reel - 8

7. Lachie Hunter

We've talked in great detail about his importance to the Bulldogs lineup, but it probably wasn't well reflected in the stats sheet this week. 19 disposals and five score involvements was ok, but he's been far more impactful in recent weeks - 6

9. Hayden Crozier

Had some moments that he would dearly love back, including two kicks that went out of the full and a rare set shot opportunity that you would expect him to convert, given he's spent days as a forward. Didn't offer too much defensively either, with just two intercept possessions for the match. Will be looking for a response in a big game against his former team - 5

11. Jackson Macrae

Was probably outshone by the other midfielders over the course of the afternoon. His 29 disposals was a game-high and it included nine score involvements, but it came at an efficiency of just 55% - 7

12. Zaine Cordy

Growing in confidence every week, and the improvement has come from him backing himself to take the game on. Always seems to have an impact of marking contests despite being undersized. A well-rounded defensive performance - 8

15. Taylor Duryea

It was his first game in over a year, but slotted in very nicely and looked like he'd been in defence all season. The Bulldogs looked a lot more assured defensively in 2019 when Duryea was in the side, and he'll be a big bonus to the Bulldogs should they qualify for finals - 8

16. Toby McLean

What had been the perfect start quickly descended into a nightmare for McLean, going from kicking the first goal of the game to being stretchered off with a knee injury minutes later. It's almost certainly the end of his season, and it leaves the Bulldogs with a midfield gap that requires urgent plugging - 1

17. Josh Bruce

Was solid in providing some ruck assistance for English, but that's about all that can be said. Carried virtually no threat going forward. If this is enough to keep him in the side, one can only imagine how dire things are with Josh Schache in the scratch matches, although Schache did kick three goals last week - 3

20. Ed Richards

Was forced to scrap for most of the match, and he did a very good job at it, regularly pressuring the Hawthorn defenders into mistakes, a facet of the game that's not often associated with him. Missed a late opportunity to kick what would've been a deserved goal to go with his 16 disposals - 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Continued to be the heart of a strong engine room, producing his best game of the season so far. Managing 28 disposals and nine tackles, he provided headaches for Hawthorn all afternoon - 9

Tom Liberatore played his best game of the season against Hawthorn. Source: Getty Images

33. Aaron Naughton

Was forced higher up the ground for most of the match due to the early loss of McLean, but still managed to have a really good game. Kicked 2.0 to take him up to second in the Bulldogs goalkicking charts, and really impressed in his lateral movements through the ground, as he managed a season-high 13 disposals and six marks - 8

34. Bailey Williams

Has had a quiet couple of weeks now, with just 13 disposals and four rebounds. Given the dominance of the Bulldogs in the first half, it's not a bad thing that he had low numbers, as it means that he wasn't required all that often. His 338 metres gained was ranked fourth of all players on the ground - 7

35. Caleb Daniel

Best on ground. He spent the whole match doing as he pleased across half back, with 28 disposals (including 21 kicks), 11 marks, and seven inside-50s being second only to Bontempelli. Also managed a late goal - his first of the reason - that demonstrated great anticipation and skill, and was a fitting reward for a fine afternoon - 9

37. Roarke Smith

A performance that was similar to that of Richards - a lot of scrapping, but it was very effectual in causing turnovers, particularly in the second term. Also floated forward in the third term to kick a vital goal, just as the Hawks were looking to build momentum and launch a comeback - 7

39. Jason Johannisen

Looked to stretch the Hawthorn defence by floating forward early, and capitalised on his opportunities with two early goals. Continued to cause problems going forward for Hawthorn for the rest of the match, with two goal assists and eight score involvements in an encouraging attacking display - 8

Jason Johannisen showed plenty of promise in an attacking sense. Source: Getty Images

42. Alex Keath

Was sound defensively for most of the game, with seven one-percenters and six spoils, but wasn't starring. Also conceded three goals to Jack Gunston, and was seconds away from a fourth before the final siren sounded as Gunston waltzed into an open goal - 6

43. Ryan Gardner

Had some iffy moments this week, which he's managed to avoid over the past few weeks. Led the way defensively with 12 spoils, 12 one-percenters (both game-highs by considerable margins), and five intercepts, so it wasn't all bad - 7

44. Tim English

Looked good in the ruck, having to deal with several opponents throughout the afternoon. His 23 hitouts was his third-best return for the season, and also managed multiple goals (2.0) for the first time this year - 8

LEADERBOARD:

1. Jackson Macrae - 125 votes

2. Caleb Daniel - 117 votes

3. Alex Keath - 115 votes

=4. Marcus Bontempelli - 113 votes

=4. Bailey Williams - 113 votes