Player Ratings - Round 1

The Western Bulldogs started Season 2025 in winning form after defeating North Melbourne by 16 points at Marvel Stadium last night.

With several established stars sidelined due to injury, many people believed that the Bulldogs were susceptible to defeat at the start of the night; what transpired was a true team effort, with several unlikely names stepping up to play a crucial role in the victory

7. Rory Lobb

Battled away for most of the night without replicating the same late-season form he showed last year. Always made his presence known in defence with a game-high eight spoils, but gathered just one intercept mark for the night. Copped a nasty hit to the chest late in the first half, but soldiered on and played out the game – 6

8. Matthew Kennedy

Had an awesome start, with 17 disposals in the first half. Didn’t find as much of the football in the second half, but set up the win with two clever goal assists early in the final term. Finished the night with 23 disposals, six inside-50s and four goal assists – 8

9. Ryley Sanders

Struggled to have an impact in the first half, with just seven disposals to his name at the main break. Lifted after half time to kick two important goals – his first for the club – as the Bulldogs held North Melbourne at bay. Still has a lot of work to do – 5

10. Sam Darcy

Drifted in and out of the game, but when he was involved, it normally resulted in something good for the Bulldogs. Kicked his only goal early in the first quarter and had nine score involvements from his 11 disposals, but compared to his seven-goal showing against them late last year, this performance was quiet by comparison – 4

12. Harvey Gallagher

Kept busy all night to finish with 16 disposals, but also had six turnovers and five clangers. Still seems to rush his disposal at times – 4

14. Rhylee West

Playing more through the midfield as opposed to his usual role up forward, he fought hard all night, with his energy and pressure around the contest a real standout. Didn’t register a major, but finished with 19 disposals, seven score involvements and three clearances. Whether there’s still a midfield spot for him when he returns remains to be seen, but he contributed effectively – 7

15. Taylor Duryea

Wasn’t one of his best games, turning the ball over five times from his 10 disposals. His role isn’t necessarily to win a lot of the ball, but even so, didn’t have a big impact on the game – 4

18. James O’Donnell

Spent most of the night on Nick Larkey, and even though the North Melbourne spearhead booted five goals, O’Donnell defended well on most occasions. He read the play well, spoiled confidently, and wasn’t often caught out of position. No one took more intercept marks (3) and only Rory Lobb (8) topped O’Donnell’s seven spoils. Was subbed out late in the third term with a jaw injury – 8

20. Ed Richards

Back into the lineup after overcoming a calf injury, but wasted no time becoming the chief destroyer in the midfield. Booted the Bulldogs’ first goal of the season with a raking kick from outside 50, and his speed and foot skills terrorised North Melbourne in the first term. With a host of other big-name midfielders out, the clamps were quickly placed on Richards and his influence was slightly subdued after quarter time, but still finished the night with 30 disposals, seven clearances and four goal assists – 8

21. Tom Liberatore

The acting captain was instrumental all night long, as he fought to help the Bulldogs turn the tide in the clearance battle. While North Melbourne dominated out of the middle, Liberatore fought a lone hand the other way, with his nine clearances and 12 groundball gets both game-highs. He also laid eight tackles to go with his 28 disposals – 8

22. James Harmes

Was a solid citizen throughout the night, regularly involving himself in chains between wing and half forward. Recorded seven score involvements from his 16 disposals, including an important goal in the second term just as North Melbourne had drawn to within a kick – 7

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Brought tremendous energy and endeavour all night, and it was crucial to securing victory for the Bulldogs. His closing speed kept North Melbourne’s defenders on their toes whenever the ball was alive, but pleasingly for Bulldogs fans, he managed to remain composed and effective whenever he had ball in hand, highlighted by a career-best return of three goals. Arguably the best performance of his career – 9

With a career-high three goals, Laitham Vandermeer produced arguably the best performance of his career. Source: Getty Images

26. Josh Dolan

Just missed a difficult chance early in the game, and while he worked hard, he didn’t have a major influence, finishing with just five disposals for the match – 2

27. Joel Freijah

Started slowly, but grew into the match as it wore on, collecting 19 disposals in the second half, including setting the Bulldogs on their way with a crucial goal seconds into the last quarter. His growing influence on proceedings came off the back of being thrown into the midfield, where he seemed to thrive - 8

29. Lachie Bramble

The surprise packet of last year, but caught no one off guard with a solid outing to start 2025. Was assured and composed in defence, collecting 21 disposals at an efficiency of 90% - 8

30. Lachie McNeil

Played his role to a tee, gathering only the 10 possessions, but contributed to the scoreboard with 2.0. If he offers that stat line every week, he’ll have no issues keeping his spot – 8

31. Bailey Dale

There are few players who make kicking the ball look so easy, so its no wonder that his teammates were looking to get him to distribute the ball at every opportunity. 22 of his 29 disposals were kicks, and went at an efficiency of 86.4% by foot over the night. Drifitng forward to kick two long-range goals was just icing on the cake – 9

Back from a quad injury, Bailey Dale made it look easy by foot all night. Source: Getty Images

32. Arthur Jones

Subbed in at three quarter time and was lively without being impactful, picking up just two disposals in the final term – 2

33. Aaron Naughton

Backed up an impressive showing against Hawthorn with a strong start to the season. Kicked well in front of goal to finish with 3.1, but also managed 17 disposals and took eight marks, with four of those being contested – a game-high. Looks set for a big year – 8

34. Bailey Williams

Was ok, but didn’t have a big impact on the game. Gathered 14 disposals and took eight marks, but looked a little vulnerable in defence at times. Was certainly outshone by some of his contemporaries across half back - 5

36. Luke Cleary

The sour note on what was otherwise a great win for the Bulldogs, Cleary received a heavy knee to the head while pursuing a groundball midway through the final term. Play stopped for several minutes while he received medical attention before eventually being stretchered off the ground. It was the final act in an otherwise quite showing, with just eight touches and five marks - 3

42. Sam Davidson

Didn’t quite live up to the hype he generated in Tasmania, registering just the 10 disposals on debut. He did kick his first official goal for the club, and also laid four tackles, including three inside-50, but there is still a bit of improvement left in the mature-aged recruit - 4

44. Tim English

Struggled against Xerri all night, with the North ruckman more than doubling English in both hitouts (51-25) and hitouts to advantage (13-6). Struggled to have an impact around the ground, either, recording just 11 disposals and four marks - 4