Player Ratings - Round 19

The Western Bulldogs returned to the top of the AFL ladder, usurping Melbourne in a gritty 20-point revenge mission at the MCG.

In front of an empty MCG, the Bulldogs answered every challenge thrown at them by the side that defeated them eight weeks ago, leading at every change, and answering a big query that the critics have had over the Bulldogs this year.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

31 disposals (13 contested), 10 clearances, 10 inside-50s, eight score involvements, 755 metres gained, and two goals. In the last quarter alone, he had nine disposals, four inside-50s, kicked a goal and set up another one. But simply, when the Bulldogs needed him most, he delivered. Again. There are no more superlatives for us to use - 10

Just another Marcus Bontempelli masterclass. Source: News Corp Australia

6. Bailey Smith

Continuing his strong recent form. He understood that the game called for gaining as much territory as possible - he had 18 kicks from his 26 disposals and gained 592 metres in the process. Kicked a lot of the left foot, but was usually fairly effective with his disposal, and kicked an important goal just before half time - 8

7. Lachie Hunter

This was a great game from the wingman. He has 23 disposals, but crucially, went at 73% efficiency on a night where several players struggled to use the ball effectively. Like Smith, he’s been working into some strong form over the last month. Also brought the sleeves back, and boy did they look good on him - 8

11. Jackson Macrae

Looked to be in some trouble with a knee concern in the second term, but shook it off to have a major impact in the second half. He finished with a game-high 38 disposals, in a display that also included nine score involvements, eight inside-50s, seven tackles, and 16 contested possessions - 9

12. Zaine Cordy

Willing to offer extra points to the defence this week, given they kept the top-ranked side to nine goals without Alex Keath for practically the entire match. It goes to show how it works as a unit rather than as six individuals. Cordy didn’t suddenly carry the backline on his shoulders, but was solid enough, and was caught out of position far less often this week. Seven intercepts and six spoils - 7

13. Josh Schache

From the moment he was named, people were questioning how he would fit into an already stacked-for-talls forward line. But, if you had been following me on Twitter, or listening to the podcast of late, you would’ve been well prepared for the prospect of him playing in defence. He started there even before Keath went down, and only impressed as the night wore on. He finished with 17 disposals and six marks, with intercepts making up seven and two of those respectively. In an unfamiliar role against one of the big contenders, he was impressive - 8

15. Taylor Duryea

Another defender that really lifted to compensate for the absence of Keath. Took a team-high three intercept marks and gained 592 metres from his 17 disposals. His ability to gather the ball cleanly was an impressive feature to his game - 8

17. Josh Bruce

Brought the sleeves back this week, and surprise, surprise, it coincided with a return to form. Conditions were far from ideal for the key forward, especially early, but the Bulldogs will be wrapt with his contribution. Managed 2.1 from eight disposals, with both goals coming at important times - 7

19. Cody Weightman

The man knows how to enter the spotlight. Within sixty seconds, he took a Mark of the Year contender on the wing over Max Gawn, before drifting forward to soccer an opportunistic effort off the ground in the third term. He involved himself outside of that also, with some strong marks and some strong pressure around the ground - 6

Mark of the Year? Source: Getty Images

20. Ed Richards

Was excellent in defence early, getting a timely spoil in on several occasions to prevent much taller Melbourne opponents from taking marks inside-50. Also had five rebounds from the defensive 50 unless he was concussed in a tackle late in the third term. He won’t play next week - 6

21. Tom Liberatore

The Bulldogs went to work on learning from what Melbourne did to quell Liberatore’s absence earlier this year, and it seems they learnt well. Libba finished with 27 disposals (including 19 contested), with four tackles, but he also managed six clearances and six score involvements in a crucial performance. The conditions were a dream for him - 8

22. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

In contrast, the conditions weren’t quite so favourable for the young key forward. Unsurprisingly, he struggled for most of the night, but came good at a really important time, kicking a last-quarter goal to put the Bulldogs 16 points up, before applying an excellent shepherd on Lever that allowed Mitch Hannan to seal the con test - 4

28. Anthony Scott

Subbed in very early, but still only played 57% of the match, which is quite low for a guy that was subbed in about 10 minutes into the match. He only managed the four disposals for the game, but also laid four tackles - 4

29. Mitch Hannan

Speak of the (former) Devil. Or Demon, I suppose. Was quiet for most of the game, but Luke Beveridge revealed post-game that Hannan was tasked with keeping tabs on Steven May. May took just the one mark, while Hannan took three and kicked 2.1. Didn’t win much of the ball, but made his possessions count - 7

31. Bailey Dale

Produced some fantastic overlap during a difficult game, gaining 522 metres with his 24 disposals, with 20 of those being kicks. He went at 70% efficiency overall and recorded six clangers, but it was to be a tough night to hit targets in such slippery conditions - 8

33. Aaron Naughton

Wasn‘t seen too often throughout the night, but had an impact when he did. He kicked 2.1 - including his first from open play this year - and took a couple of really nice marks against some quality opponents, and created a contest in several others. A key man in preventing Lever and May from controlling proceedings - 8

34. Bailey Williams

Gained status into The Salty Bulldog Sleeved Hall of Fame thanks to his decision to cover the arms on Saturday night. Of course, he looked great in them, and was another defender that deserved immense praise for working to keep Melbourne's forwards under control after the early loss of Keath. Won just the 13 disposals, but went at 76% efficiency and recorded seven spoils - 7

35. Caleb Daniel

The cleanest players always stand out in tough conditions, and so it proved on Saturday. Daniel was excellent all night. He won 34 disposals and hardly wasted any of them, either by hand or foot. He had a hand in six scores, recorded nine intercepts, and kicked a terrific goal to extend the Bulldogs lead in the third term - 9

37. Roarke Smith

Very quiet overall. Won just the five disposals all night, but that did include two clearances. He also laid three tackles, and his 16 pressure acts was equal-fifth for the team, but in terms of impact on the game, he had very little influence overall - 4

38. Riley Garcia

If there was a contested situation at ground level inside the Bulldogs forward 50, there was a good chance that Garcia was in there somewhere, burrowing after the footy. The energy that he brings to this team continues to impress, and it's starting to become quite clear why the Bulldogs were so desperate that they conducted a live trade on Draft Night to secure him. He didn't score, but he had 11 disposals all up and also laid five tackles - four of which were inside 50. His 23 pressure acts were ranked fourth for the team, and his pressure provided countless opportunities for his teammates - 8

39. Jason Johannisen

Showed a bit of dare, and a willingness to use the vast expanses of the MCG by running and carrying the football. It was encouraging to see him back himself in that regard in what's been a rare sight at times this season, but it wasn't the night for such dare, with the conditions not at all conducive for precise execution. It was a shame to see, because the effort was in his game, and it deserved more than the nine disposals and no score output it got - 4

42. Alex Keath

We spoke last week about how winning the Premiership without Keath would be just about impossible, and within 10 minutes he went down with a hamstring concern. We'll know more in due course; the Bulldogs are hopeful that it isn't a serious one, but at the very least they'll need to push on without him for the next couple of weeks. Fortunately, they've so far coped well in his absence - 1

44. Tim English

Was well beaten in the hitout count by Max Gawn (56-14), but English made his presence felt in other ways, getting a goal from the stoppage in the opening term with a lofty effort that somehow travelled a great distance and sailed through. It was one of 17 disposals that also included five tackles and four spoils as he tracked back to give the defence a chop out - 7