Player Ratings - Round 10

The Western Bulldogs returned to winning ways on Saturday night with a comfortable 91-point thumping of Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

A seven-goal-to-none opening term set the stage for the Bulldogs biggest win of the season, and they never looked back, increasing their lead at every change.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Set the Bulldogs on their way with the opening goal of the match; sharking a Todd Goldstein hitout before snapping truly. Was afforded the luxury of being able to take a back seat as his teammates dominated proceedings, but he still managed to finish the game with 24 disposals, nine score involvements and two goals. As much as we love watching The Bont steal the show, seeing others step up and orchestrate proceedings is a pleasing sight – 8

7. Rory Lobb

The Bulldogs No.1 key defender dealt with most of what came his way reasonably well, but admittedly was called upon very seldom over the course of the night. Key forwards Peter Wright and Nate Caddy combined for just one goal, as Lobb finished with six intercept possessions, three intercept marks, and 11 disposals at 90% efficiency – 7

8. Matthew Kennedy

Found the footy at will, collecting a season-high 31 disposals as the Bulldogs midfield did as they pleased. Worked especially hard out of the centre, with three centre clearances, a hand in nine scores during the match, including a goal of his own in the third quarter - 9

9. Ryley Sanders

Started the game like a house on fire, and played a huge role in getting the Bulldogs off to a flying start. To half-time, Sanders had 19 disposals next to his name as he got involved in everything. Faded significantly after the main break, adding just a further five touches to his name. Although Sanders had nine score involvements, it was another handball-happy outing, registering just four kicks from his 24 disposals - 8

14. Rhylee West

Produced a complete performance for a small forward. He simply refused to give the Bombers defenders a moment’s peace all night, be it terrorising them with relentless pressure, providing a commanding presence as a marking target inside-50, or making Essendon pay with his conversion in front of goal. West managed 11 score involvements and four goals from 19 disposals, including one that came after a fend-off so emphatic it would’ve made Dustin Martin blush - 9

Rhylee West celebrates one of his four goals on Saturday night. Source: Getty Images

15. Taylor Duryea

Named in the side for the first time since Round 2, and played like he hadn’t missed a beat all season. Essendon barely went forward all night, but even when they did, Duryea was there to snuff out any possible danger. He claimed a game-high five intercept marks, but also managed to turn defence into attack, with six score involvements from 16 disposals. A terrific showing upon return - 9 

18. James O’Donnell

Played a steady game. Like many defenders, he wasn’t required too often in the game, but took two intercept marks, gathered five intercept possessions, and was part of the key defensive team that kept the likes of Wrighy and Caddy out of the game - 7

20. Ed Richards

Fresh off signing a five-year contract extension with the Bulldogs, Richards gave fans a taste of what to look forward to for the remainder of the decade, producing a devastating performance. Richards gained 479m with his 27 disposals, that included 13 score involvements, three goal assists and two goals off his own boot. Luke Beveridge has never been afraid to make positional switches with his charges, but moving Richards into the midfield is looking like the best of the lot - 9 

21. Tom Liberatore

With a host of standout performers around him, Liberatore flew under the radar to have a fine game. He had a game-high eight clearances to go with his 33 disposals on a night where the Bulldogs’ midfield brigade controlled the play from siren to siren. Also managed a goal in the opening term - 9

22. James Harmes

Enjoyed an excellent game on the wing, picking up 27 disposals - a season-high. His work in defence and attack was well-balanced, gathering both seven intercepts and seven score involvements. Seems to have found his spot in this Bulldogs’ lineup - 8

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Was energetic early, picking up seven disposals in the opening term, and proving quite dangerous inside the Bulldogs forward line, drawing a free kick to contribute towards a rare “double-goal” before taking another strong mark inside 50, and setting up a McNeil goal with some clever feet while tucked up in the pocket. Faded after quarter time, but his first-term efforts were pivotal in setting up the win - 6

24. Buku Khamis

After a quiet performance last week, he responded with one of the best games he’s played as a forward. Was a constant threat to Essendon’s defence, with three of his six marks taken inside-50, including a Mark of the Year contender late in the third term. He also booted an equal career-high three goals in a fine display - 8

27. Joel Freijah

Made the odd mistake, but it was a relatively tidy performance from Freijah, finished with 21 disposals and five score involvements. It wasn’t a particularly damaging display, as despite recording five inside-50s, he gained just 101m for the night - 7

29. Lachie Bramble

Started the game as the sub, but was brought on early following the injury to Arthur Jones. Coach Luke Beveridge may have hoped the decision served as a wake-up call for Bramble, who is yet to replicate the stellar form he showed last season, and he finished with 14 disposals and seven marks on a night where the Bulldogs backline wasn’t called upon much. How he responds in the coming weeks will be a fascinating watch - 5

30. Lachie McNeil

Buzzed around in the first half, with 11 disposals and seven score involvements to his name, including a goal to maintain his record of at least one in every game he’s played this year. He’s now booted 10 goals this season, which equals his previous best effort of 10 back in 2022. Like Vandermeer, he faded after half-time, but by then he had done his job - 7

31. Bailey Dale

In the corresponding game last year, Dale was named the sub in a shock move by Luke Beveridge. But the move jolted Dale into form, and it came to a crescendo on Saturday night in a record-breaking performance. With 49 disposals, he now holds the record for the most disposals in a game by any Bulldogs player in history, and his 1017 metres gained is a season-high. But it wasn’t just cheap possessions, they were also damaging ones, picking up 11 score involvements, too. 10s are a rare achievement in The Salty Bulldog Player Ratings, but when it comes to breaking club records, sometimes even a 10 just isn’t enough - 11

Just one of the 49 times Bailey Dale had the ball on Saturday night. Source: Getty Images

32. Arthur Jones

Back in the side for the first time since Round 2, and looked his lively, energetic self early with three touches and two tackles, before suffering a hamstring injury early in the season. Subsequent scans have revealed that Jones sustained a high-grade hamstring injury, which will see him miss at least the next two months - N/A

33. Aaron Naughton

It wouldn’t be classed as a return to form, but it was certainly an improved effort than his showing against the Suns last week. His sticky fingers have deserted him, but his effort couldn’t be questioned, regularly fighting for the ball when in dispute and often getting a decisive hand to set the ball moving forward. He finished with 10 score involvements from 11 disposals, and his night certainly would’ve looked a lot better had he improved on his 1.3. Still looks to be a victim of his teammates delivery at times - 6

34. Bailey Williams

Did his job with minimal fuss and kept things relatively simple on the wing. Went at 79% efficiency with his 19 disposals, playing a hand in eight scores and even drifted forward to kick a goal of his own in the third quarter - 7

36. Luke Cleary

Wasn’t asked too many questions from a defensive standpoint (he recorded just two intercepts), but still provided plenty of support going the other way, picking up a career-high 18 disposals at 89% efficiency, and also recorded seven score involvements. Similarly to O’Donnell, we’ve had to be patient with Cleary’s development, but that patience from both the coaching staff and fanbase is starting to be rewarded, as Cleary is becoming more reliable by the week - 7 

39. Jason Johannisen

Tested the hamstrings with a couple of bounding rules through the middle of the ground, which will always leave Bulldogs fans with hearts in their mouths. But looked good, gaining 490m from a 20-disposal effort that included 16 kicks and nine score involvements. He may not be at the peak of his powers anymore, but there’s no doubting his place in the 23 when fit - 7

42. Sam Davidson

Has spent a bit more time forward in the last couple of weeks, but it’s a role that is familiar to him, and is adjusting nicely to it. Finished with 16 disposals at 81% efficiency while gaining 357m for his side, and also booted a goal in the third term; one of his six score involvements - 6

44. Tim English

Was bested in the ruck battle by Goldstein (losing the hitout count 29-17 and hitout to advantage count 6-5), but took advantage of his opponent’s 36-year-old legs by working him overtime around the ground. English finished with 26 disposals, eight clearances and 11 score involvements, including one inventive piece of improvisation on the goaline to set up a Tom Liberatore major. Has easily been one of the Bulldogs most improved players this season - 9