Player Ratings - Round 23

The Western Bulldogs finished off their 2021 home-and-away campaign in disappointing fashion, losing to Port Adelaide by two points at Marvel Stadium.

It was the Bulldoga third consecutive defeat, and saw them fall to fifth spot on the ladder, setting up an Elimination Final clash with Essendon.

1. Adam Treloar

Scored what could (and probably should’ve been) the goal that sealed the match; a lovely set shot from just inside 50 after a clever mark. Just three clearances and one tackle for his 20 disposals , but has to be the one to catch fire this week to support a tiring midfield - 7

2. Lewis Young

Deployed as a tagging ruckman of sorts, and was pretty impressive, particularly early, helping to negate the influence of Scott Lycett, collecting 14 disposals, four marks and 13 hitouts around the ground. It’s encouraging to see him perform so promisingly in such an unfamiliar position, but it’ll be interesting to see if he retains his spot - 7

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Started well early, kicking the first goal of the game and looking dangerous whenever he got on the ball, but ultimately only found it 15 times, and that was inbetween being forced to should secondary ruck duties. He needs to be better protected than that - 5

5. Josh Dunkley

Still working himself back into it, this week managing 17 disposals and a goal, and picking up just four tackles and clearances. Like Treloar, he’ll still be relatively fresh given the amount of time he’s spent on the sidelines this year, so a big final is required from him - 6

6. Bailey Smith

Finding more of the ball still, but still not always as effective as he could be with it, highlighted by the six flangers he collected form his 25 disposals. Came within a couple of metres of booting the game-winning goal in the dying seconds - 7

7. Lachie Hunter

Was one of the Bulldogs better players, but not one of their better ball-users. He he 22 disposals, kicked a goal, set up another two, took 10 marks and had six score involvements, but used the ball at just 54% efficiency. His set shots have always been ordinary, but his general distribution has garnered such a reputation, so they are disappointing numbers - 8

10. Easton Wood

His first three disposals all resulted in turnovers, either being booted in the man on the mark, or looping towards a teammate under pressure. He looked well and truly off the pace when it came to using the ball, which was a particular shame given his three intercept marks and nine intercept possessions were both team-highs. He is contracted to next year, but on current form, it’s hard to see him in Best 22 calculations with a fully fit squad - 4

11. Jackson Macrae

Had no issues finding the football once again, with his 29 disposals being only the second time all season that he has dropped below 30. He also took eight marks, laid six tackles and had four clearances. He’s looking like a three-time winner of The Salty Bulldog POTY award - 8

12. Zaine Cordy

Let’s be realistic with this one. The Power’s three tall forwards in Dixon, Georgiades and Ladhams combined for just 24 disposals and 2.1. The Bulldogs defence (Peter Wright-aside) has hardly been the issue over the last three weeks. Cordy, with eight one-preventers and five spoils, didn’t star, but equally didn’t do much wrong on the night - 6

15. Taylor Duryea

Wasn’t his best performance of his season, not picking up the crucial defensive numbers that we have come to expect from him, and also only recording 15 disposals at 60% efficiency. His role is as important as it is underrated, so the Bulldogs will need him to bounce back this week - 4

19. Cody Weightman

When scoring was at its driest for the Bulldogs, they started to go through this man, and scoring became possible again. In a five-minute patch in the third term, the Bulldogs kicked three foalsc and each of them came about as a result of some involvement from Weightman. He kicked the first goal, hit up English on the chest for the second, and hand passed over the top to Vandermeer for the third. He doesn’t need to make a consistent impact, but sudden sparks like that make a big difference to his overall impact on games - 8

In a five-minute burst, Cody Weightman managed to get the game back on the Bulldogs’ terms. Source: Getty Images

21. Tom Liberatore

The generally-accepted nucleus of the Bulldogs midfield was well held again on Friday night, picking up just 17 disposals, five tackles and five clearances. If the Bulldogs are to beat Essendon on Sunday, Liberatore needs to fire - 5

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Looked a bit better this week than last, collecting 14 disposals and a goal, although he only had a disposal efficiency of 57%. His pace and pressure will be key on Sunday, and will be another Bulldog that will be relied upon with his relatively fresh legs - 4

29. Mitch Hannan

Another goalless game - his seventh out of his 13 appearances this year. Although to be fair to him, he is another that is being forced to shoulder ruck duties for no reason other than necessity. However, even given the freedom to play his natural game, he has struggled greatly this year, so seeing whether he keeps his spot in the side will be interesting- 4

31. Bailey Dale

21 kicks from his 25 disposals with an efficiency of 84% and 517 metres gained is a good performance for the All-Australian squad nominee. Bulldogs fans will hope that he can carry this impressive drive off of half back into the finals - 8

33. Aaron Naughton

Prevented Aliir from being able to dominate in the air as he has done in the previous fortnight, so gets marks there. On the other hand, he managed just 1.0 from eight disposals, despite almost being on the end of what would’ve been the winning goal - 5

34. Bailey Williams

Desperately needs another tall defender down there to free him up to play a more attacking game. Not that can’t play as a third tall defender if absolutely necessary, but he’s such a quality back-flanker, that it’s a shame to see all of his attacking strengths he put to waste - 6

35. Caleb Daniel

Gained more metres (562) than any other Bulldog, and used his 24 disposals at an efficiency of 79%, including pulling a couple of his customary outrageous kicks. Such a good performance as always - 8

37. Roarke Smith

Did well when he was involved in the play, with a couple of courageous intercept marks bound for the highlights reel, and used his 13 disposals at 84% efficiency. On the whole, it was a typical Roarke showing - not big numbers, but plenty of courage, and neat usage of the footy - 7

Despite not racking up huge numbers, Roarke Smith did little wrong on Friday night. Source: Getty Images

39. Jason Johannisen

Aside from a brave intercept mark and a great running goal, was virtually unsighted for most of the night, finishing with just the six disposals and two score involvements - 3

42. Alex Keath

Charlie Dixon - regularly the bane of the Bulldogs existence - barely came within the vicinity of the ball all night, and that’s testament to Keath’s ability to shut him out of the game entirely. It’s astounding that Keath isn’t in the All-Australian squad of 40, because performances such as these carry such importance to the Bulldogs fading Premiership hopes - 9

44. Tim English

Kicked 2.0, but from the amount of dropped marks he took inside 50, he should’ve made much more impact on the scoreboard. Was also delegated to backup ruck duties, recording just one hitout all night. While we worked with Naughton to quell the likes to Aliir’s intercepting abilities, he needed to do more in the air with the chances he was given - 4