Player Ratings - Round 10

The Western Bulldogs returned to the top of the AFL ladder at the weekend, with a comprehensive 111-point victory over St Kilda.

After exiting last year's finals series at the hands of the Saints, the Bulldogs exacted their revenge by showing no mercy, and recording their second 100+ point victory of the season - the first time the club has managed such a feat in their history.

1. Adam Treloar

Started the game really well, picking up 14 disposals in the first half, until he suffered an ankle injury in the second term. Briefly returned to the field, before being subbed out of the match at half time. Despite playing just one half of football, he still only managed the one score involvement. He'll likely miss the top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne, but the Bulldogs are hopeful that he won't spend too long on the sidelines - 5

2. Lewis Young

Tricky one, given he started the game as the Medical Sub, and when he was brought in, he wasn't really needed in his normal role as a key defender, and the game was over by the time he did come in, so the Bulldogs could only shuffle him around the ground, trying to find something for him to do. He was deployed as a relief ruckman for Jordon Sweet and spent a bit of time up forward as well, managing just three hitouts and no score. The positive is that all three of his disposals did lead to scores, but there's no certainty over his place in the side next week - 3

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Struggled in the final last year, but had no such problems this time around. 26 disposals, six tackles, 797 metres gained, and a career-high four goals. Probably another three Brownlow votes as well, which is a point of discussion to keep your ears tuned in for in this week's podcast episode. We cannot sing the praises of this man highly enough - 10

6. Bailey Smith

Was busy throughout the course of the night, and it was unsurprising to see him finish among the leading possession-getters on the ground with 26. Also finished with seven tackles and clearances in a good all-round performance - 8

More Brownlow votes. Source: AFL.com.au

7. Lachie Hunter

Worked his way back to being the linkman that Bulldogs fans have grown accustomed to over the years, winning 24 disposals at 83% efficiency. Also played a hand in 11 scores and recorded seven inside-50s. In Treloar's likely absence, he will be of even greater importance to this Bulldog's midfield - 7

9. Hayden Crozier

Won just the 14 disposals, but regularly cut out St Kilda attacks with either a timely spoil, or was the one reading the ball at ground level and initiating the rebound from defence, finishing with seven intercepts - 7

11. Jackson Macrae

Extending that streak of consecutive 30+ possession games to 10, managing to end the night with 41 disposals. More than that, he also added nine clearances and nine tackles to his tally in a truly complete performance - 10

12. Zaine Cordy

Spent most of the night matched up against Shaun McKernan, and while McKernan did kick one of the Saints five goals, he was virtually unsighted for the rest of the night. Cordy also wasn't afraid to help out in pack situations, either, regularly leaving his man to affect marking contests, registering a team-high six spoils - 7

15. Taylor Duryea

One of the things that you take away from the Bulldogs defence is that they defend as a group of six, rather than have their specific matchups. Like the other back flankers in the side, Duryea doesn't spend large portions of games on a specific defender, but instead works with his teammates to figure which one is next to peel off the opposition to win the ball back. Duryea does it so well on a regular basis and always manages to find one of our elite ball-users in a composed manner. 94% efficiency from his 17 disposals - 8

17. Josh Bruce

Quiet on one hand, with just the six disposals. But on the other hand, did his job with 3.0 to maintain his second spot placing in the Coleman Medal, and draw to within one goal of Harry McKay - 7

19. Cody Weightman

It wasn't the headline-grabbing act that last week's heroics deserved, but he still managed to get crowds off of seats when he flew for the ball, and was a constant ball of pressure inside the Bulldogs forward 50. With better kicking for goal, his score would've been bumped up even further, but ultimately had to settle for 2.2 at the night's end - 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Tom Liberatore has had some massive outings during his time at the Bulldogs, but according to the AFL Player Ratings, this one was the best of the lot. His 31 disposals (14 contested), went at 94% efficiency, and included four tackles, (another) eight clearances, 17 score involvements, and the opening goal of the game. If the Bulldogs want to go all the way this year, this is the man they need to keep fit - 10

According to the AFL Player Ratings, Tom Liberatore has never played a better game. Source: AFL.com.au

28. Anthony Scott

A step back after a promising few weeks. He received a knock to the head at some stage during the game, but whenever it occurred, it was part of a forgettable five disposal, 0.1 showing. Suffered from some blurred vision according to Luke Beveridge and was removed from the game as a result, but the belief is that he's not been concussed, and should be ok - 2

29. Mitch Hannan

Some people have questioned his position in the side, but it's worth noting that this is a man learning a new system off the back of virtually no pre-season due to injury. While he'll want to bump up his numbers sooner rather than later, this wasn't a bad game from him. 1.0 from 15 disposals is ok, but it's the four tackles and the link-up play between half-forward and wing that will really please the club internally. His ability to play small despite his height is a real asset to the Bulldogs, and is looking to find his rhythm in the side now - 7

30. Lachlan McNeil

It was a reasonably quiet showing, with just six disposals and no score. Although he did piece together a career-best seven tackles and recorded 15 pressure acts, which ultiamtely bumped his score to a respectable total - 5

31. Bailey Dale

Not for the first time this season, was best on ground at half time as he continues to develop his reputation as being one of the most improved players in the competition. Starred across half back throughout the course of the match, finishing with a career-best 34 disposals at 79% efficiency, gained 791 metres and even managed to kick another two goals. He is currently rated as the best general defender in the competition according to the AFL Player Ratings, which gives you an indication of just how meteoric this rise has been - 9

33. Aaron Naughton

Came to life in the second half after a fairly quiet first half. Admittedly, the game was virtually over by the time he got going, but he still kicked 5.4 from 15 disposlals and nine marks (seven i50, three contested). The late showing and inaccurate kicking prevented another perfect game, but outlatsted Matt Taberner to become the only player to manage multiple goals in every league game this season - 9

34. Bailey Williams

Only won the 14 disposals, but it was similar to the case against North Melbourne, where the Bulldogs midfield dominance meant that the defensive unit weren't called upon too often. Was good on the occasions where he was involved in the play, however, regularly snuffing out attacks, winning the ball back and finding a teammate with ease - 7

35. Caleb Daniel

The Saints were intent on going with the Geary-Daniel matchup that brought them such success in last year's final, so the plan early on for the Bulldogs was to avoid that matchup as best they could. As a result, Daniel started the game on the bench, but eventually settled into his familiar role across half back. Often sacrificed his own game by delegating the kicking duties to his teammates, evidenced by his own nine kicks from 25 disposals, but it was an accomplished game from the reining club champion - 8

37. Roarke Smith

Will likely divide opinion right up until his final day at the club, but it's hard to begrudge his place in the side if he maintains the output he's produced over the past fortnight. It's hardly All-Australian form, but 15 disposals and a goal is a respectable showing. It also included 15 pressure acts and three tackles, in a performance that the AFL Player Ratings had him ranked as the 10th-best player on the ground - 7

39. Jason Johannisen

The 19 disposals and 1.1 only tells you part of the story; it doesn't tell you anything about the 1v3 in the middle of the ground that he won in the second term. It doesn't tell you anything about the repeat efforts to chase the opposition, nor does it tell you about the eventual rundown on Dan Butler that instigated a swift Bulldogs counter-attack. These are the extra 5% efforts that Johannisen has been criticised for not producing in the past, but it's clear how more impactful he can be on proceedings when these efforts are there. He's had to work hard to a) force his way back into the side, and b) establish himself in a new role, but full credit to him; his last fortnight has been outstanding, and he deserves the rewards he reaps from it - 9

41. Jordon Sweet

Still having to go it alone in the ruck, but is still holding his own. The Bulldogs lost the hitout count 53-21, but aside from that, you'd probably credit the points to Sweet over Patrick Ryder. 14 disposals was a career-best return, but also included six marks, six tackles and four clearances. As we mentioned last week, he'll probably need some assistance in the form of English or Martin soon before he tires out, but the key lesson we've learned over the past month is that he can work at this level, which was a question we couldn't answer definitely at the start of the year - 7

42. Alex Keath

Spent most of the game on the promising Max King, who didn't take his only mark for the game until very late on in the final term, and finished the night with 0.1 from six disposals. Given the impact he had in the final last year, this was a big matchup win for the Bulldogs - 8