Player Ratings - Grand Final

The Western Bulldogs have finished the 2021 season in disappointing fashion, falling to Melbourne by 74 points in the Grand Final.

After building a 19-point lead midway tot through the third term, the Bulldogs crumbled badly, conceding 15 of the last 16 goals to end the year.

1. Adam Treloar

Produced arguably his best performance of the season. Got the Bulldogs back into things with a quick fire double early in the second term, and provided plenty of run and drive when the Bulldogs were on top. Tried his heart out right until the last - 8

4. Marcus Bontempelli

When he snapped through his third goal to put the Bulldogs 19 points up midway through the third term, he would have been very much in the hunt for the Norm Smith Medal. As it was, he assumed the role of passenger (much like the rest of his side) from that point on. Still, 25 disposals and three goals in a Grand Final is one fine performance, especially given the bulk of it took place in two-and-a-half quarters - 9

Despite the defeat, Marcus Bontempelli further enhanced his reputation with a second strong Grand Final. Source: Getty Images

5. Josh Dunkley

Worked hard for his 25 disposals, and added five tackles and clearances to his stats as well. What surprised me most was that he attended just three centres bounces for the whole game, which is especially odd given how convincing Melbourne were in that department in the final 45 minutes of the match - 7

6. Bailey Smith

Not quite as explosive as he had been in the previous two finals, but it was still a solid game for a kid in his third season. He had 26 disposals and five inside 50s, but recorded an efficiency of just 65% and failed to hit the scoreboard - he hit the post with his only attempt on goal - 6

7. Lachie Hunter

Not a great time to have his third-lowest possession tally of the season, picking up just 16 disposals and struggling to be that linkman that has proved so pivotal for the Bulldogs this season. Kicked an important goal to put the Bulldogs in front early in the second term, but missed what could have been a crucial chance on the half time siren - 5

8. Stefan Martin

Martin was ok. He didn't dominate the hitouts or the possession battle, but Max Gawn's presence on the match was a huge talking point in the leadup, and for the most part, Martin was able to quell it to reasonable effect. Martin himself managed 18 hitouts and 14 disposals, but couldn't do anything about the second half onslaught that Melbourne brought upon the Bulldogs - 5

10. Easton Wood

Was second-best for most of the match, although he did have a huge moment in the third term, going back with the flight to prevent what should've been a certain Melbourne goal. Ultimately, however, it didn't prove to be the turning point that it arguably deserved to be, and it was the high point in a rather quiet nine-possession match. Where he stands in the 2022 pecking order will be one to keep a close eye on - 4

11. Jackson Macrae

The official winner of The Salty Bulldog POTY award - his third since the award started in 2018. As impressive as a 26-disposal performance suggests, this wasn't one of his better performances. He still worked hard, laying eight tackles and winning four clearances, but it was just a solid performance. Also added the Gary Ayres Medal to his CV as the best player in the finals series - 7

It wasn’t his best game, but Jackson Macrae’s September saw him claim both the Gary Ayres Medal and The Salty Bulldog POTY Award. Source: Getty Images

12. Zaine Cordy

The man chosen over Ryan Gardner also put in a solid showing. He's never a headline-grabber, but the fact that the fallout hasn't involved people questioning his seelction over Gardner (as horrible as this may sound) is the best indication you could ask for as far as Cordy is concerned. His opponent Tom McDonald was kept largely in check until things blew out in the final term, but Cordy put in a reasonable shift - 7

13. Josh Schache

Probably his least influential final, although he took some good marks in the second term that led to some positive Bulldogs play, and also fashioned himself a couple of half-chances that could've been goals on another day. Not a great final, but certainly far from an absolute stinker. His 2022 prospects are very encouraging, regradless of which end of the ground they place him - 5

15. Taylor Duryea

Kept Kysaiah Pickett in check - the livewire forward had four disposals and no score. Duryea has established himself as more of a lockdown defender in recent weeks, and proved his worth on several occasions during the finals series, denying some of the best small forwards in the business - 8

19. Cody Weightman

While Pickett was being kept under wraps at one end, Weightman was being exacted the same treatment at the other. Flew for everything that came his way, but really couldn't get himself involved in the game. He had seven disposals and no score - 3

21. Tom Liberatore

Worked tirelessly through the midfield, finishing up with 23 disposals, six score involvements, eight tackles and seven clearances. Hard to fault him throughout the night, but wasn't able to do anything to quell Melbourne's midfield dominance in the final 45 minutes of the match - 8

29. Mitch Hannan

A performance more consistent with his output this season, and certainly a step back from his excellent Preliminary Final; he failed to score from his seven disposals and one mark - 2

31. Bailey Dale

Overcame a shaky start to have a solid game, with 21 disposals and 477 metres gained at 81% efficiency. It wasn’t his best game of the year, but as we said, solid - 7

33. Aaron Naughton

Showed an impressive array or agility to snap truly on his non-preferred right boot in the second term as the Dogs charged, but it was his only real noteworthy contribution from his nine disposals and four marks - 3

34. Bailey Williams

Was desperately out of sorts early, dropping easy marks and missing simple kicks that resulted in straightforward goals for Melbourne in the opening term. It set the tone for a season-low 13 disposals outing with four clangers - 4

35. Caleb Daniel

Was excellent in the first half. Truly excellent. With 26 disposals to the main break, he was (alongside Bontempelli) the key architect in the Bulldogs revival. His influence was well quelled after the break, however, picking up just nine more touches, and turning the ball over for Brayshaw’s third quarter goal. The only Bulldog to pick up Norm Smith votes - 8

37. Roarke Smith

It was a brilliant goal from him, from being the one to compete in the air to keeping his feet and reacting well, it was a great moment for him. It was a handy showing from him and probably one of his better games all up, with 16 disposals at 75% efficiency and five tackles - 6

39. Jason Johannisen

Was involved in the game to a reasonable extent, with the highlight being his spectacular mark in the goal square and subsequent finish. He had four score involvements from his 12 disposals, but laid just one tackle - 6

42. Alex Keath

Was probably one of his more disappointing outings for the season. His opponent Ben Brown booted 3.2, while Keath himself didn’t rack up major numbers; he picked up just one intercept mark and three spoils. It was such a shame given how outstanding he has been this season - 4

44. Tim English

Seemed to be that every good thing he did was cancelled out in the game. For instance, his strong contested mark in front of goal was smothered on the mark. He only took the three marks for the game, but his intensity in the air was a real feature of his game. He managed 12 hitouts for the game, while his 13 disposals came at just 46% efficiency- 5