Player Ratings - Round 3

The Western Bulldogs improved their record to 2-1 after an impressive come-from-behind win against Carlton on Friday Night.

After conceding the first four goals of the game, the Bulldogs rallied after quarter time, kicking 12 goals to seven after the first break, to run Carlton down despite trailing at every change.

7. Rory Lobb

The battle between the Bulldogs’ key backs and Carlton’s key forwards was a fascinating one. Lobb was solid throughout registering a game-high eight intercept possessions and two intercept marks, but lost two out of his four defensive one-on-ones, as Carlton’s three talls (Charlie Curnow, Brodie Kemp and Lewis Young) did combine for 10 out of their 11 goals for the match - 7

8. Matthew Kennedy

Struggled to find a lot of the ball in the first three quarters, but still found ways to impact the contest against his former side, kicking his first and second goals for the club to keep the Bulldogs in touch. But it was in the final term where he really stood up, collecting 12 disposals and four clearances in the final term alone, to finish with 22 disposals, nine clearances and two goals for a match. Three games in and he’s already proving to be an astute pickup - 8

Matthew Kennedy (C) played a big role against his former side. Source: Getty Images

9. Ryley Sanders

Slow start to the match, but lifted in the second term to play a big role in getting the Bulldogs back into the match, with the synergy between he and Tim English around the stoppages a real feature. Capped off an important 15-minute patch with a timely goal late in the half, and eventually finished with 22 disposals and five clearances - 7

10. Sam Darcy

Engaged in a fascinating battle with Jacob Weitering all night. Carlton’s full-back held sway for most of the first half, with Darcy’s frustrations starting to boil over into the third term, before receiving some relief from the umpires to kick an important goal early in the second half. Darcy’s confidence grew from there as he started to get involved in the contest more, and kicked another big goal from outside 50 in the last term to give the Bulldogs the lead for the first time. Handled a challenging opponent to finish with 2.1, eight marks and a game-high eight score involvements from 17 disposals - 7

12. Harvey Gallagher

Looked a bit more composed this week. Only managed the nine disposals (all kicks), but managed to play without the chaos that has troubled him in the opening fortnight. Read the play well and intercepted nicely on a few occasions - 6

13. Oskar Baker

Used more in the defensive half of the ground, Baker tried hard to get things going and was solid, finishing with 14 disposals at 78% efficiency, while gaining 316 metres. Suffered a badly corked quad in the third term and was subbed out of the game - 6

14. Rhylee West

A classic low-possession, high-impact game from West. Only had eight touches for the match, but still played a hand in five scores, with his industrial efforts in the third term especially paving the way as the Bulldogs made their move. His big moment arrived on the three-quarter time siren, as he kicked his only goal after the siren to give the Bulldogs the momentum heading into the last term - 6

18. James O’Donnell

Back in the side, and, in a surprise move, spent the night forward. Eventually kicked the Bulldogs’ first goal of the game early in the second term, and while he didn’t have a major influence during the match, he always provided a contest inside the attacking 50. Iced the contest with a well-judged mark and finish on the goal line late in the match - 6

19. Liam Jones

Provided a calming influence in his first game of the season. Only had seven disposals, but marshalled the Bulldogs defence well, particularly after quarter-time. Although Carlton’s key forwards did combine for all but one of their goals, Jones intervened at a couple of crucial stages to prevent certain Carlton goals. A good man to have back in the fold - 7

20. Ed Richards

Started the game on fire, picking up seven possessions in the opening 10 minutes of the match, but his influence on proceedings failed as the match wore on, picking up just 12 disposals after quarter time. Finished the game with only three clearances and 252 metres gained; well down on his opening fortnight - 5

21. Tom Liberatore

Continued his supreme start to the season, picking up 30 disposals and laying 11 tackles. The most insane stat of all were his 39 pressure acts - a whopping 14 more than the next-highest ranked player on the ground. Entrusted with the responsibility of acting captain and has so far thrived with the added responsibility - 9

22. James Harmes

Did a lot of hard work along the wing, as did a number of Bulldogs. He gathered 22 disposals at 77% efficiency, but had an impact going both ways, recording five inside-50s and six intercept possessions - 8

23. Laitham Vandermeer

A number of Bulldogs players were largely quiet on Friday night, but still managed to have a positive say on the contest at same point, and Vandermeer was one such example. With just two touches to his name by half time, he wrested the momentum back for the Bulldogs with an important play in the third term, laying a crucial tackle inside the attacking 50, before converting splendidly from the resulting free kick, before lighting the fuse by starting a scuffle straight after. Another energetic showing as he continues to win Bulldogs fans over - 5

24. Buku Khamis

Looked a little out of sorts in the first half, particularly when it came to judging the ball coming into Carlton’s attacking 50, but responded in kind with a vital second-half showing. Spent most of the second half lined up on Charlie Curnow, and took the honours in a crucial defensive display. With three goals to his name by half time, Khamis kept Curnow goalless in the second half, regularly peeling off to pluck intercept marks, finishing with a game-high tally of four - 8

26. Josh Dolan

Starting as the sub this week, Dolan came on halfway during the last quarter, and was lively across half forward, picking up five disposals and three marks. Showed excellent composure when in space at half forward, running his full measure before lowering the eyes and hitting up Darcy with a short kick to help regain the lead - 7

27. Joel Freijah

Was solid in the first half, showing his usual poise and composure to gather 11 disposals to half time. His impact waned in the second half, finding the football just five more times. Definitely his least impressive performance of the season so far - 5

29. Lachlan Bramble

Was more impactful this week. Didn’t provide a great deal of drive out of defence, with just three rebounds and four score involvements, but went at 89% efficiency from his 18 disposals. Did his job defensively as Carlton’s smaller forwards were kept in check all night - 6

30. Lachlan McNeil

12 disposals and a goal doesn’t sound for a particularly strong performance, but McNeil’s game was defined by making the most of important moments. Won a crucial 1v2 on the wing in the third term to help keep the Bulldogs moving forward, only to finish off the chain with his only goal. Stood up late in the game as well when Carlton led by four points, applying a textbook tackle of Blake Acres with about eight minutes to go to prevent a repeat entry for the Blues - 7

Lachie McNeil stood up in some important moments in the second half. Source: Getty Images

31. Bailey Dale

The Bulldogs chief distributor out of defence was well held by Matt Cottrell for the majority of the game, having to show his strength and burst through tackles regularly just to find a skerrick of space. Had the last laugh in the final minutes, showing great anticipation to cut off a short Carlton kick out of defence, before following up to win the ball and set up James O’Donnell for the sealer. Gained 485 metres from 20 disposals - 7

33. Aaron Naughton

To be completely fair to Naughton, the service to him was largely awful for most of the night, with the vast majority of the delivery being kicked either over his head or to his disadvantage. But when he was a chance in the marking contest, he was regularly outmuscled by Jack Silvagni far too easily. The one positive was that he continued to persist, and when he eventually claimed a mark on Silvagni inside 50, he made the most of a rare opportunity to put the Bulldogs in front for good with four minutes left. It gets him an extra point - 3

34. Bailey Williams

Was afforded the license to play further up the ground as defensive reinforcements returned this week, and proceeded to make the most of the freedom with his best game of the season. Provided excellent cover on the wing, with his two-way running proving vital both in attack (eight score involvements) and defence (six intercepts). Should continue to thrive in this role now that the defensive stocks have been replenished - 8

42. Sam Davidson

In just his third game, Davidson produced a stellar performance to emerge as one of the best players on the night. Dominated along the wing all night, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals and 10 marks, all at an efficiency of 80%. His disposal was also damaging on the scoreboard, adding seven score involvements to his portfolio in an impressive night’s work - 9 

44. Tim English

His work around the ground yet again was down on what we’ve come to expect from him, with Tom De Koning using his agility to great effect with an impressive showing. But credit has to be given to English for his ruckwork, where he took the points for the second week running. Beat De Koning in the hitout count 34-28, but it was in the hitouts to advantage where English shone, winning the count 11-5. His ruck craft has been the one part of his game that we’ve long been critical of, so to see it start to emerge is pleasing, now it’s about putting it all together - 7