Player Ratings - Round 14

The Western Bulldogs missed an opportunity to go back to the top of the ladder last week, losing to Geelong after a kick after the siren.

Despite the defeat, the Western Bulldogs put together a strong performance that promised so much and delivered many good individual scores.

3. Mitch Wallis Subbed on at halftime. Recorded three score involvements from his seven disposals, but there wasn’t enough to warrant a permanent recall to the senior side. Failed to score - 3

4. Marcus Bontempelli

An excellent captain’s game, doing everything he could to get the team over the line. Finished with 30 disposals, nine score involvements, seven tackles, eight clearances, 11 inside-50s, and a wonderful goal in the third quarter. Missed a good chance early in the last quarter that ultimately proved costly – 9

6. Bailey Smith

Continues his run of patchy form since, further making his Round 1 performance look more like an anomaly rather than a sign of things to come. Just the 14 disposals in the end, and the first time he’s had consecutive weeks of less than 20 disposals since his debut season; I’m not sure what he needs to do to recapture it, either – 4

7 – Lachie Hunter

A great all-round game from a player that has been in good form since his return to injury, with another 23 disposals, 10 marks, and eight score involvements. A really important performance – 8

9. Hayden Crozier

Struggled for most of the match, often finding himself coming second-best off of some for of contest. Didn’t do much with the ball, either, managing just 10 disposals and three marks, with no intercepts to speak of – 3

11. Jackson Macrae

35 disposals sounds great on paper, and I get that he generally needs big numbers to have an impact, but he’s had far better games with less of the football. He went at 65% efficiency overall and laid just three tackles for the game. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad game, but by his standards, there was a bit to be desired – 6

12. Zaine Cordy

Won’t fault him for his efforts in the final minute because he handled it pretty well, all things considered. Worked hard to ensure that the defence wasn’t overpowered by Geelong’s match-vaunted attack, with five goals being kicked between Hawkins, Cameron and Rohan for the game. Eight of his 12 disposals came from intercepts, and his 10 spoils were a game-high – 8

15. Taylor Duryea Was important defensively, particularly late, with a couple of key marks in the last quarter to help stem the tide. Also had his leg cut open by Joel Selwood, in an act that was remarkably considered only worthy of a fine. His 22 disposals were recorded at an effieicny of 95%, so he definitely did his bit – 8

16. Toby McLean What a story. 278 days after suffering an ACL rupture last season, he was thrust straight back into the senior side following Stefan Martin’s late withdrawal. In a hard-fought encounter, McLean excelled, winning 21 disposals and very nearly walked away having kicked the winning goal. As long as he remains fit, he’ll be keeping his spot in this side – 8

In his first game back in over nine months, Toby McLean was excellent. Source: AFL.com.au

17. Josh Bruce Had just eight disposals and only four kicks, but each of them combined for a score of 3.1, including a couple of fantastic goals from tough angles. He’s surged to equal-second in the Coleman Medal, and continues a remarkable turnaround – in his first 13 games last year, he was sitting on a tally of 12.9; he’s currently on 37.11 – 8

19. Cody Weightman Wasn’t at his absolute best, but still maintained his record of a goal in every game he has played this season, finishing with 1.1 from 14 disposals. It was good to see him impact such a big game - 5

21. Tom Liberatore The first player in history to record 40+ pressure acts, 30+ disposals, 20+ contested possessions, and 10+ clearances. All topped off with a goal. About as perfect a game as you can get from an inside midfielder – 10

28. Anthony Scott Made his big move in the third term, kicking two opportunistic goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the Bulldogs, but missed a key opportunity in the last quarter that, like Bontempelli, proved costly. Hard to blame Scott solely, given there were other opportunities to win the game, but outside of those three chances, was fairly quiet – 6

29. Mitch Hannan Would be worried about his spot in the senior side, with another sub-par performance that included 10 disposals, no score, and a brief stint in the ruck. With Josh Schache kicking six goals in the VFL hours earlier, there’s no doubt such form deserves reward, and a reason for Hannan to be nervous – 3

31. Bailey Dale Was fine when he had the ball, going at 85% efficiency, but he found it just 14 times, which is his lowest count for the season. Still managed to gain 404m, which was the sixth-most of any Bulldog – 5

33. Aaron Naughton He was subbed out at half time, he took just one mark, and scored just 0.1 from four disposals. But how damn good did he look in those sleeves? – 2

It wasn't a great night for Aaron Naughton, but at least we got to see how amazing he looks in sleeves. Source: AFL.com.au

34. Bailey Williams A great game that was well-balanced offensively and defensively, with 24 disposals, a team-high six rebounds, eight intercepts, eight spoils, and 492m gained. His best game since his return from injury – 8

35. Caleb Daniel Only went at 63% efficiency, but was at his best when it mattered most with his 27 possessions, kicking an important goal in the last quarter to tie the scores. Also gained 592m, which was the second-most of any Bulldog – 8

37. Roarke Smith Didn't have a big game, even by the standards of his low-possession, high-impact style of play. He only managed the 12 disposals, two tackles and three one-percenters, but one of his two kicks came within half a metre of giving the Bulldogs a crucial six-point lead late in the match. They're the moments he needs to capitalise on to keep his place in the side - 3

39. Jason Johannisen

Had one great moment in the second term where a desperate spoilt led to a brilliant snapped goal, but it was the only highlight in an otherwise invisible six-disposal performance. It also included only two tackles and 14 pressure acts, better than just seven other Bulldogs. Like Hannan, he cannot continue to produce such performances and expect to keep his place in the side - 3

42. Alex Keath

The only player who spent the entire game on the ground, and marshalled a defence that kept the aforementioned dangerous Geelong forward trio to just five goals (Cameron 2, Rohan 2, Hawkins 1). Spent most of the game on Hawkins, and for a key forward that has a strong record against us, has managed just three goals in his past two games against Keath - 9

43. Ryan Gardner

Still finding his feet in the senior side after such a lengthy layoff, but contributed well in what was a stern test of his abilities. Worked in tandem well with Cordy and Keath, even if it didn't reflect in huge numbers next to his own name, with a team-high two intercept marks, four spoils and five intercepts - 6

44. Tim English

Forced to shoulder the ruck duties for almost the entire game, and while he didn't have a big impact in his usual float of floating between half back and half forward, was excellent in the ruck duel. His 29 hitouts were ranked No.1 on the ground, and was almost a career-best for English. Ultimately, it did affect his numbers elsewhere, going goalless for just the second time this season, and his eight disposals being his lowest count of the season - 8