Player Ratings - Round 16

For the first time since Round 10, the Western Bulldogs finished the round on top of the ladder, after accounting for North Melbourne by 29-points at Marvel Stadium last Sunday.

Leading at every change, the Bulldogs were never really troubled as they recorded their 12th win of the season and completed the double over North Melbourne for the first time since 2017.

2. Lewis Young

The Sleeved Hall of Fame Legend was deployed in defence during the first half, but was shuffled through the pack once Aaron Naughton went off injured, playing mostly across half forward and even during the ruck. He looked pretty comfortable in a role that he has experience with at VFL level. He finished with 13 disposals and six marks, but was also robbed of a late opportunity to kick his first goal at AFL level. Did enough to keep his spot - 7

3. Mitch Wallis

Played his first full game since Round 2, and kicked his first goals of the season, kicking all three of his goals in the last quarter to keep North at arms length. It's great to see the vice-captain back in the side and playing well, especially given how long he's been toiling away in the VFL for - 7

It was great to see Mitch Wallis hit the scoreboard for the first time this season. Source: Getty Images

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Had enough of the ball, winning 27 disposals, but was well down on his usual effectiveness, recording nine clangers and going at 66% efficiency overall. Didn't record huge numbers in the middle, either, with four tackles and clearances, but recorded six intercepts - 7

6. Bailey Smith

Recorded over 438m gained with his 16 disposals, which is pretty impressive in itself given that he only managed eight kicks for the game, but it was a return to the form that we have seen from him for most of the year. To be fair, most of the Bulldogs midfield was fairly lackluster at the weekend, and he still did go at 81% efficiency with just one clanger, but we still expect more from him - 5

7. Lachie Hunter

Only 19 disposals, but made good use of the ball when he did have it, hitting a target 15 times, gaining 530 metres and recording six inside-50s. It was a low-possession, high-impact game that we rarely see from Hunter - 7

11. Jackson Macrae

Finally cracked into the top-10 all time leading disposal getters for the Western Bulldogs, winning 31 disposals. It also meant that he now holds the record for the most consecutive games of 30+ disposals, extending his run to 15. Aside from his records, his own game was very good also, with eight score involvements and four goal assists - a career-high - 8

12. Zaine Cordy

Was surprised to see him get a vote from the AFL Coaches Association, but upon reflection, was pretty reliable in defence. He took a team-high four intercept marks, and also managed five spoils. Overall, it was a fairly sound defensive display - 7

15. Taylor Duryea

Fairly quiet in his 150th game, recording just the 13 disposals and three intercepts. Having said that, he did find a target with 12 of his touches, but this wasn’t one of his most productive games of the year - 5

16. Toby McLean

Just two kicks (both points) from his eight disposals, but was very good defensively, with a team-high six tackles. Like we said last week, he’s still working back to full fitness, but it will be interesting to see what role they settle on for McLean in the coming weeks, as we know he can carry out multiple jobs - 6

17. Josh Bruce

Was thrilled to see him starting out in sleeves, although had to scrap them barely minutes into the match after a scuffle with Robbie Tarrant saw the jumper ripped apart. Has definitely had bigger days against North Melbourne, finishing this match with just 2.1 and only three marks - 6

19. Cody Weightman

The clear standout of the opening term. The Bulldogs tried something different with Weightman being the main forward target as opposed to the regular alternatives in Bruce and Naughton, and it paid dividends, with three first-quarter goals. Finished with a career-best 4.1 from 13 disposals and also recorded five marks i50. Looks the answer to the small forwar the Dogs have been craving - 8

Cody Weightman's aerial prowess and ability around goal was on full display for all to enjoy. Source: AFL.com.au

21. Tom Liberatore

A good game from him overall; any player that finishes with 25 disposals and 2.2 will poll well in this article. Can also add eight score involvements, eight clearances, and five tackles to the stats line as well - 8

27. Patrick Lipinski

Started as the Medical Sub and, surprise, surprise, was brought on as the Bulldogs suffered another injury. Only on the field for the second half, and won nine disposals, hitting a target with eight of them, and took four marks. An ok showing, but it won’t convince many that he absolutely deserves to stay in the side - 5

28. Anthony Scott

I’ll be honest with you: when I was doing these player ratings, I skipped over Scott’s number. I actually forgot that he played. I love what he brings to the team, and the Bulldogs rate him very highly internally, but we didn’t see the best of it on Sunday. Played mostly in an unfamiliar role across half back (unfamiliar at least at AFL-level), managing seven disposals, two kicks, one tackle and no score - 3

29. Mitch Hannan

This was his best game for the club so far. In an encouraging showing, he was the most-targeted Bulldog going forward, with eight entries inside-50 being directed towards him. He led up well at the ball, too, finishing with seven marks and 1.1 from 11 disposals. It’s nothing to rave too much about, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction - 7

31. Bailey Dale

Another good game from the ever-improving back-flanker. Another pair of goals to add to his 23 disposals, which came at 83% efficiency and gained a team-high 602m in the process - 8

33. Aaron Naughton

Like Bruce, was fair quiet aside from a couple of nice moments in the air, followed by a not-so-nice one as his head crashed into the turf minutes before half time. Subbed out of the game with concussion, he’ll miss this week’s match against Sydney. 0.2 from seven disposals - 3

34. Bailey Williams

17 kicks from 19 disposals is a good ratio for a back flanker, and it contributed greatly to his 568m gained. His disposals only resulted in four scores overall, but did managed to add a goal to his, albeit with the aid of some questionable North Melbourne defending - 7

35. Caleb Daniel

Continues to be thrown around in several positions, including spending some time in the forward line. Generally used the ball well with his 18 disposals and took seven marks. We’ve discussed previously of his positional change is being used to lessen the impact of a weakened midfield; it will be interesting to see how he is utilised once named such as Dunkley and Treloar return - 7

38. Riley Garcia

Only managed 13 disposals (it was actually a pretty low-possession match, all in all), but was lively when he did get it, playing a hand in six scores, managing two goal assists, and also getting his own name on the scoresheet as well. Managed a top-10 ranking in the AFL Player Ratings as well - 6

39. Jason Johannisen

Johannisen games can be hard to mark these days. In the past, when he was playing across half back, the questions were how much did he get the ball? And how did he use it? Now, there’s a less tangible side to his game that needs to be marked. North’s main distributors out of defence - Ziebell and Hall - both found plenty of the football and used it pretty well. Johannisen recorded just seven pressure acts - the sixth-lowest of any Bulldog - and managed just 0.1 from 14 disposals - 4

42. Alex Keath

Didn’t lead the backline with the defensive masterclass that we saw against West Cost the week prior, but still had some good moments, preventing a certain goal in the opening term and also had eight intercepts for the match, but conceded 24 scores to a team that is ranked last on the ladder - 7

44. Tim English

Again forced to ruck almost the entire match on his own, and as a result was once again unable to play his natural game. The Bulldogs have always looked a better side under Beveridge with two ruckman, and there’s no doubt that both the Bulldogs and English would benefit from having Martin or Sweet back in the side to allow English to float forward, particularly with no Naughton this week - 6