Player Ratings - Round 21

The Western Bulldogs endured a difficult weekend of football, losing to Essendon by 13 points at Marvel Stadium last Sunday.

But the defeat was just the tip of the iceberg for the Bulldogs, with other results seeing them relinquish top spot on the AFL ladder, while key players incurred more serious injuries:

1. Adam Treloar

Made a solid return to the side, picking up 22 disposals and a goal, but failed to register a clearance, and only laid two tackles. Regardless, it's worth considering how long he has been out of the side for, and keeping that midfield group as fit as possible will become evermore crucial in the Bulldogs run to September - 7

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Did just about everything he could to get the Bulldogs over the line. He picked up 34 disposals, recorded 10 inside 50s and had nine clearances, although he didn't lay a tackle for the first time this season. Kicked a goal late on to give the Bulldogs fleeting hope, but missed an important one in the third term when the game was very much alive - 9

5. Josh Dunkley

He's never been the best kick, but given he finished with 19 disposals you would expect him to have more than three kicks in a game. He really struggled to make an impact, with just two tackles and one clearance. Will need to find a way to click back into top form over the next fortnight - 5

6. Bailey Smith

Was ok, but has been better in recent weeks. 20 disposals at 85% efficiency and 418 metres gained is pretty good, although you would be wanting him to find an extra 5-10 to be able to make that major impact on proceedings - 7

7. Lachie Hunter

A very similar game to Smith in many respects. 22 disposals and 449 metres gained, all the while using the ball at 82% efficiency. Also won four clearances, a number bettered only by Bontempelli and Macrae - 7

10. Easton Wood

Kicked a really nice goal in the opening term, courtesy of a vicious sidestep. Was a bit better than what he was last week, contributing a bit more with two intercept marks, four intercept possessions and three spoils, but is still building his fitness - 6

11. Jackson Macrae

Really, it was him and Bontempelli keeping the Bulldogs in the game. His 38 disposals were a game-high, as were his ten clearances. He also laid five tackles and recorded seven inside-50s. Hard to point the finger at him - 9

Another fine display from Mr. Consistent - Jackson Macrae. Source: Getty Images

12. Zaine Cordy

Unfortunately, it was the same old story in Cordy's 100th game regularly trailing his direct opponent by a few metres, and the 6-6-6 rule makes such weaknesses in a defensive game really stand out. I know he’s been a mainstay under Beveridge, but it’s hard to continue to justify his spot when opposition forwards are able to generate so many chances on him - 2

13. Josh Schache

Conceded a couple of goals, but I thought he was generally fairly handy across the backline. He led the way with three intercept marks, eight intercept possessions and six soils (all team-highs). He was forced off of the ground in the third twrm with an injury, but returned to the field - 7

15. Taylor Duryea

He has been a pivotal member of the Bulldog defence this year, and although his influence wasn’t at its highest, he was still reliable. He picked up 17 disposals (five of those intercepts) and kicked his first goal of the season - 7

17. Josh Bruce

Despite the loss, it was looking like a sound personal day for Josh Bruce in game 150 with 3.2 from 15 disposals. But then the last few seconds happened. His knee buckled as he looked to change direction, and an ACL rupture was confirmed. It’s a bitter blow to the Bulldogs’ Premiership aspirations - 8

20. Ed Richards

92 metres gained from eight disposals. Not great - 2

Adam Treloar (L) and Ed Richards both returned to the senior side with mixed results. Source: Getty Images

21. Tom Liberatore

Another player who was ok, but wasn’t anywhere near his best. Racked up the 22 disposals and a goal, but only had the two clearances - 7

22. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Went back to being “not ready again” in the eyes of those looking for an easy target. He missed a very simple shot in the open ending term, but did hit the scoreboard in the third. He was pretty quiet outside of that, but still, we’re six games in - 3

28. Anthony Scott

He had a chance from 30m out on half time to give the Bulldogs the lead, and he almost picked out the interchange gates. It summed up his day - 3

31. Bailey Dale

He provides run and carry between the arcs, but he only recorded one rebound and two inside-50s. It was another ok game. 22 disposals and 377m gained - 6

33. Aaron Naughton

Kicked 1.3, the irony being his one goal was probably the toughest of his four shots for the game. Will really need to step up now, particularly given the absence of Bruce - 5

34. Bailey Williams

Definitely one of his better games for the season. 24 disposals with an efficiency of 83%, he also had five inside 50s and eight intercepts. The AFL Player Ratings also have it recorded as his best game of the season - 8

35. Caleb Daniel

Only found the ball 18 times, but was highly effective when he found it, disposing of the ball with an efficiency of 94%. It's what we've come to expect from Daniel in terms of efficiency, but 18 isn't enough - 6

38. Riley Garcia

As he normally does, he brings plenty of heat for opposition players to deal with, but it wasn't as intense as it has been in recent weeks. Still an important part of the side, but would probably benefit from having other smaller types such as Weightman working alongside him. He was pretty much on his own in the small forward context at the weekend - 6

39. Jason Johannisen

Was hardly sighted all afternoon, although to be fair to him, he did make the most of what little possession he had during the match. In the second quarter, he set up one goal to Treloar and kicked another himself, two of three score involvements that he had from his five disposals, but he needed to do much, much more - 4

44. Tim English

A major step backwards this week, as he was comprehensively beaten by Sam Draper in the ruck duel. The grave concerns over English's ruck capacity will resurface every time that there is a game like this, because he's now 24 and into his fifth season at the level, and that improvement should be very evident by now. His nine hitouts to advantage from 24 is a solid ratio, but it's not enough given the experience of his opponent. His other numbers around the ground were solid, too - 6