Player Ratings - Round 20

The Western Bulldogs maintained their hold on top spot of the AFL ladder last weekend, with a 49-point win over Adelaide at Mars Stadium.

In a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Bulldogs, they kicked five goals to three against the breeze in the opening term, and never looked back.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Has had the tendency to be tagged out of games in the past, and it proved so yet again at the weekend, being effectively contained by Ben Keays. Bontempelli finished with just the 15 disposals, three clearances and a late goal, but also laid seven tackles. Not a great day, but at least we showed that it's possible to win without needing a Bontempelli masterclass - 4

5. Josh Dunkley

Wore the coveted sleeves that saw him inducted into The Salty Bulldog Hall of Fame, but didn't celebrate the occasion with such a great on-field performance. Dunkley only managed the 13 disposals and four tackles, but things have been a bit stop-start for him over the past few weeks, so a down game is understandable, and an encouraging sign that we can manage a 50-point win with two star midfielders down on their usual output - 4

6. Bailey Smith

Continued his recent fine form, with 29 disposals and seven tackles. 19 of those disposals were kicks, and contributed to his 644 metres gained. It was a typical Bailey Smith game, and put himself in a great position for Brownlow votes - 8

7. Lachie Hunter

Played a good game again; he doesn't often play bad ones. Gained 483 metres from his 20 disposals, and also got himself a goal in the last quarter. A team-high seven inside-50s - 7

10. Easton Wood

A quiet return to the senior side, but given the notable absentees in the Bulldogs defence at the moment, just getting through the match in one piece would've been the least that the Bulldogs were hoping for. Only managed the eight disposals and two marks, but made eight spoils, regularly helping out his fellow defenders. His experience will be huge in the finals - 7

11. Jackson Macrae

Another 31 disposals and another 12 clearances. What a star - 8

12. Zaine Cordy

Was out-pointed in a few one-on-one contests, but wasn't too badly exposed in a defence that only conceded eight goals, so it's hard to be too critical of him - 6

13. Josh Schache

Started really strongly, taking three intercept marks in the first term alone. He only added one more to his tally for the game, but his most important contribution was nullifying Taylor Walker's impact on the game, restricting the veteran forward to just five disposals and two goals - both kicked in the last quarter when the game was already won - 8

Josh Schache’s last two weeks in defence have been very encouraging. Source: Getty Images

17. Josh Bruce

Also started in a really encouraging fashion; he kicked two goals in the first quarter and took a really nice mark in the goal square, but he didn't really impact much afterwards. Still, his first quarter when kicking into the breeze was extremely effective and valuable for the Bulldogs - 6

19. Cody Weightman

Played with his usual energy, although his impact on the game wasn't as significant as it has been at times this season, kicking just the one goal from 14 disposals - 5

21. Tom Liberatore

Settled the Bulldogs down with the first goal of the game after the Crows had kicked the first two, and went on to produce a sound performance, finishing the day with 25 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances - 8

22. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Was really lively in the first term, marking well, leading into the right spots, and wasn’t afraid to show off some of his skills early either, with a beautiful blind turn to set up a Johannisen goal. As for himself, his two first-half were both well taken - 7

28. Anthony Scott

A career-best 17 disposals, he was used all over the ground and was in the wars for much of the game as well. Looked to have suffered a potential injury late in the game, but returned to the field to play out the game - 7

29. Mitch Hannan

He’s not stealing the limelight still, but his contributions are starting to become a bit more noticeable. No goals again, but 14 disposals and six marks, as well as a goal assist. - 6

31. Bailey Dale

The guy doesn’t mind a match in Ballarat against Adelaide, does he? Not quite the five-goal haul we saw in 2019, but still managed one to go with his 31 disposals, which includes 25 kicks and 682 metres gained at an impressive 84% efficiency. Surely has to be in All-Australian consideration this year - 9

33. Aaron Naughton

Was noticeably quiet throughout the afternoon, kicking just 1.2 from five disposals. The conditions weren’t the best for key forwards, but with the Bulldogs kicking 15 goals as a team, you would’ve expected Naughton to finish with more than one major - 3

34. Bailey Williams

I feel like on the whole there’s been a slight drop off on his output this season compared to last, but I think that has come with him needing to help out the taller defenders a bit more, sacrificing his attacking game as a result. Had just the 16 disposals, but also recorded five intercepts and gained 423 metres when in possession - 7

35. Caleb Daniel

Was brilliant. Just brilliant. His goal in the second term summed up his day. Everything he did came so naturally to him that it felt like nothing Adelaide did could prevent it. 32 touches of the highest quality and an excellent to boot - 9

37. Roarke Smith

Much more involved this week, with 15 disposals and four intercepts. He continues to divide opinion amongst the fan base, but whatever he’s doing, it’s good enough for Beveridge right now - 5

38. Riley Garcia

Have the Bulldogs found their answer to the Clay Smith-shaped void that has been present in their forward line for the last four years? Garcia is very silently flying under the radar, but his impact has been big the last few weeks. His 18 disposals was a career-high, but he also got himself a goal, laid three tackles, and his 20 pressure acts were rated fourth-most of any Bulldog. Hard to see him coming out of the side as finals approach - 8

The two Bulldogs small forwards, Riley Garcia (L) and Jason Johannisen both had strong games. Source: Getty Images

39. Jason Johannisen

A timely performance given the impending return of Laitham Vandermeer - a player gunning for Johannisen’s spot. 15 disposals, 365 metres gained, two goals and three tackles is a good start, but with Vandermeer now back playing, and with finals closing, the pressure is on - 7

44. Tim English

Was matching Reilly O’Brien in the hitout count in the first half, until the bigger body overpowered him after half time. The debate will rage on over the value of hitouts, but English’s numbers have been encouraging over the last six weeks. The tall forward line has also allowed him to drift back, with two intercept marks and four spoils - 7