Player Ratings - Preliminary Final

The Western Bulldogs qualified for their second Grand Final in six seasons last weekend, demolishing Port Adelaide to the tune of 71-points at the Adelaide Oval.

A seven-goal-to-one opening term set the stage for the rampant Bulldogs, and were never really headed as they recorded their biggest winning margin in a final.

1. Adam Treloar

What a difference a week makes. Criticised for his body language and efforts in the Semi Final, but responded in kind with a terrific showing. Picked up 23 disposals and a goal, with 26 pressure acts, 13 score involvements, and nine tackles - all game highs. Imagine how good his game would've been if he wasn't sulking? - 9

Adam Treloar responded to last week’s criticism by producing a strong game against Port Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

4. Marcus Bontempelli

All week the Western Suburbs were fretting over the fitness of Marcus Bontempelli's knee; it turns out it was all for nothing. The Bont wasn't at his absolute best, but he didn't need to be. He got the ball rolling with the opening clearance of the match (one of seven), had a game-high 10 inside 50s, and booted two first-half goals to go with his 20 disposals. Set to become the fourth man to captain the Bulldogs into a Grand Final - 8

5. Josh Dunkley

Starting to find some form at the right time of the season. His 22 disposals and eight tackles were both the most he's picked up since his return from injury, and only Ollie Wines (16) picked up more contested possessions than Dunkley (14). He's proven himself useful as a run-with midfielder over the past fortnight, so it'll be interesting to see who or even if he is used in that role again in the Grand Final - 8

6. Bailey Smith

Got the Bulldogs off to the dream start, with two goals and eight disposals in the opening term. Has finally got things clicking in this new half-forward role, and his running power was just too much for Port Adelaide to handle. He finished his game with 23 disposals and four goals, and entering a Grand Final, has never been in better form - 9

7. Lachie Hunter

Another quality, yet underrated performance. Only picked up 22 disposals, but had 11 score involvements, demonstrating how frequently the Bulldogs go through him to set up scoring opportunities- 8

8. Stefan Martin

A genuine roll of the dice, the Bulldogs took a gamble on the underdone Martin, naming him in the Preliminary Final for his first game since Round 12, and just his second game since Round 7. But the gamble paid off, providing the Bulldogs midfield with equal opportunity to win the ball, and restricting the dominance that we saw from Scott Lycett in Round 23. Luke Beveridge has warned us that we may not see Martin again this season, but it’s hard to see the Bulldogs line up without him on Grand Final Day - 8

10. Easton Wood

Not huge numbers (16 disposals and six intercepts), but did his bit to Marshall the defence to provide that extra layer of experience that becomes so vital in finals, and that importance will certainly carry over into the next game he plays - 7

11. Jackson Macrae

Broke the record for the most disposals ever recorded in a season, as he powered his way to another 36-disposal showing. Among all of that was nine score involvements, eight intercepts and six clearances, as well as gaining a team-high 580 metres. Has one hand on the Gary Ayres Medal for the best player in the finals series - 9

12. Zaine Cordy

Given the call-up due to the injury to Alex Keath, and tasked with the daunting responsibility of taking down Charlie Dixon. In an immense showing, Cordy kept him to 2.1 from 11 disposals, and wasn’t at fault for either goal. I’ve regretted not awarding him a ‘9’ for his game at the Adelaide Oval earlier this year, but I won’t be making the same mistake twice. The irony in this being arguably his best ever performance is that it might not be enough for him to keep his place in the side - 9

13. Josh Schache

Meanwhile at the other end, the Bulldogs made a deliberate ploy to have Schache man-mark the dangerous Aliir Aliir, and the plan could not have worked any better. Aliir barely had an influence on the game, while Schache exposed him going the other way as well, managing 1.3 from five shots, although they weren’t easy shots on goal - 8

15. Taylor Duryea

No need for last-gasp defensive heroics this week, which will provide as much relief for Bulldogs fans as it would’ve done for Duryea. Found the going much easier when keeping Orazio Fantasia out of the contest, restricting the former Bomber to 0.1 from six disposals - 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Got the Bulldogs off to a flyer, with the first two clearances of the match, and played a pivotal role in setting up the Bulldogs early lead. The Power put the clamps on him after quarter time and quelled his influence, but the damage had been done by then - 7

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Kicked the second goal of the game - just one of six touches - but it was his pressure that set up Bailey Smith’s second goal, and also set Bontempelli’s second goal as well, before being subbed out at three quarter time with hamstring tightness. The Bulldogs have a big decision to make following the impending return of Cody Weightman, but if Vandermeer’s hamstring doesn’t get up, the decision may be made for them - 5

28. Anthony Scott

The man who replaced Vandermeer, kicked a major with his first kick in his first final. Aside from that, it’s hard to mark him given his introduction into a game that was well over. The goal was just one of four disposals. Didn‘t do anything wrong, but may be the unlucky omission for Weightman - 5

29. Mitch Hannan

Set the tone with a dominant first half, booting a season-high three goals to get the Bulldogs motoring. Also took several strong marks and laid two tackles inside-50. His influence faded after half time, but the job had been well and truly done by then - 8

31. Bailey Dale

With 24 disposals, only Macrae racked up more for the Bulldogs, but his eight rebounds were a game-high, and he tracked at 83.3% disposal efficiency as well - 8

33. Aaron Naughton

He seems built for finals, doesn’t he? Another who got in on the act in the Bulldogs fast start, launching at every contest and clicking some impressive marks, taking six contested and booting 2.2. Will be a crucial piece to the Bulldogs Premiership hopes - 8

34. Bailey Williams

19 disposals (16 kicks) and eight marks (four intercept) in a steadying performance across half back. It’s not gaining the headlines that he generated last year, but there’s a reason why he continues to play - 8

35. Caleb Daniel

Misplaced a couple of kicks, but was generally pretty reliable showing wit’s 22 disposals and seven rebounds at 72% efficiency. A very handy player to have - 7

37. Roarke Smith

Long a favourite of Luke Beveridge, but for arguably the first time in his career, he is earning his games. Has always had his strengths, but is starting to piece them altogether into the one package. Played an important role in between the flanks, picking up 15 disposals, six intercepts and kicked 1.1. Amazing story of persistence that ends with a likely Grand Final berth - 6

39. Jason Johannisen

Played like a man who knew there was to be a unlucky small forward should the Dogs get up, and did everything possible to make sure it wasn’t him. Threw himself into contests with a bravery I’ve not seen from him previously, ran up and back with a high-octane intensity, and made his 13 possessions count with 1.1 and seven score involvements. This was the best game I’ve seen play, surpassing even his Norm Smith-winning performance in the 2016 decider - 9

Jason Johannisen (R) played one of his most complete games for the club. Source: Getty Images

43. Ryan Gardner

The Bulldogs have always been a sound side statistically when Gardner has played, but the true test was maintaining that record without Alex Keath. But Gardner was as solid as ever, with six intercepts and a game-high eight spoils, as Port talls Dixon and Todd Marshall were held to a combined 3.2 over the course of the night. Had one moment where he was caught by Robbie Gray, but it went unpunished and was untroubled otherwise - 8

44. Tim English

Probably the only Bulldog that didn’t have a really big game. Took just the two marks as he spent more time forward, but they key for him was making sure Port didn’t win the ball back, and he did that job fairly comfortably. Had a impact of sorts when in the ruck, winning 11 hitouts and four clearances - 6