Player Ratings - Round 4

The Western Bulldogs maintained their perfect start to the season, with a hard-fought 19-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

It's the first time since 2008 that the Bulldogs have started the season with a 4-0 record, and there were plenty of contributors to help get the team over the line.

1. Adam Treloar

Starting to get motoring now as he works his way to the top of the Bulldogs midfield pecking order. Turned it over a bit with seven clangers, but conditions were not the best at times throughout the afternoon. Made up for it with 29 disposals, five clearances and 10 tackles. Oh, and just a quick reminder that Collingwood are still paying us $300,000 a year to play this guy. - 8

2. Lewis Young

Brought in as a late replacement for Patrick Lipinski, in a move that was probably more tactical than forced, especially given how short the Bulldogs would've been in defence without him. In his first game in over 12 months, Young was crucial. His 13 intercepts and five intercept marks were both team highs, and his 457 metres gained was bettered only by Marcus Bontempelli. As a centre-half back, he has a more attacking mindset than Ryan Gardner, and has shown plenty of promise whenever he's been in the senior side; surely with Gardner's absence he deserves a run of games of cement his spot - 8

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Didn't star like his midfield compatriots, but did his bit. As mentioned earlier, he gained more ground than any other player on the ground (637 metres), demonstrating a clear understanding on what was required based on the conditions. 21 disposals all up, with nine inside-50s and six score involvements - 7

5. Josh Dunkley

Has a great record at Mars Stadium, and maintained that once again with another 27 disposals. Found a lot more of the ball on the outside than what you would expect, with 20 uncontested possessions across the game. Also added to his smother count for the season, and we'll commit to keeping count; he's up to 11 after four rounds - 8

Josh Dunkley (L) and Adam Treloar starred in midfield for the Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

6. Bailey Smith

Was down on his usual output for the season, managing just 15 disposals - comfortably his lowest tally for the season. Kicked an important third-quarter goal into the breeze to arrest some momentum that Brisbane were building - 6

7. Lachie Hunter

Kicked the Bulldogs first goal of the game with a smart snap from the boundary, but was very quiet after that, finding himself stuck on just three disposals halfway during the third term. Lifted to finish with 15 for the match, but worked hard when things weren't going his way, laying 10 tackles - 6

8. Stefan Martin

Helped the Bulldogs win the hitout count for the first time since Round 7, 2019, breaking a league record 37 consecutive defeats in the count. Did his bit to nullify the Lions ruck division, but his key contribution was freeing up his partner Tim English - 7

10. Easton Wood

Kept Charlie Cameron scoreless when the two teams met last season, and was unsurprisingly given the job again. Cameron managed 0.2 from eight disposals, where Wood accrued nine intercepts and two intercept marks from his 11 disposals. Big win - 8

11. Jackson Macrae

A game-high 32 disposals (he now remains 375 away from the top-10 spot), eight tackles, and a great long-range goal after some surprising bullocking work from him at the stoppage. A good chance to once again feature in the Brownlow votes, and may well be fighting for 3 in this game - 9

15. Taylor Duryea

It feels like I'm saying the same things about Duryea most weeks, but that's only because he brings the same calming influence across half back most weeks. He provides plenty of experience to that defence, and the backline does tend to look shakier without him since his arrival - 7

17. Josh Bruce

It wasn't the ideal conditions for a 10-goal haul this week, but didn't use it as an excuse. He made things work for him with his second and third efforts at ground level, allowing other teammates to be brought into the game and scoring opportunities to be created. Earned a just reward with his 200th career goal after a strong pack mark in the second term - 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Wasn't really his day. Gave away an unnecessary goal with a free kick reversal in the third term, and managed just 17 disposals for the game. His six clearances was also a season-low, but finished the match off the right way with a goal in the dying seconds - 6

23. Laitham Vandermeer

It was brought to my attention that I may have marked Laitham a bit harshly last week, so I made an effort to pay a close eye on him this week, but it just wasn't his day. No score and four turnovers from six disposals. His 16 pressure acts were in the top half of all Bulldogs, but it wasn't enough for him to generate a major impact - 3

28. Anthony Scott

Had some good moments - most notably a terrific run-down tackle - but the highlights were few and far between. Just the five disposals - 3

30. Lachlan McNeil

A bit more involved than either Vandermeer or Scott, but still didn't dominate proceedings. Managed just the 10 disposals, which including a couple of moments going forward that he might like back - 4

31. Bailey Dale

Is it too early to start using the word "revelation" yet? Dale's move into defence is one that almost no one would've predicted before the start of the season, but he's been at least solid in every game, and is continuing to build. Was regularly the main distributor out of half back, and barely wasted the footy with his 21 disposals. Also managed four intercept marks and seven intercept possessions - 9

33. Aaron Naughton

Oh, what could've been. 18 disposals, eight marks (four contested, three inside-50), four tackles (three inside-50), eight score involvements....but 2.5 in front of goal. Admittedly, conditions weren't the best, and at least three of those five points were difficult chances under the circumstances, but there was another 10 for the taking, although poor conversion cost him. Otherwise, a terrific game - 8

34. Bailey Williams

Found himself against taller opponents on occasion, but still held his own to produce a solid game. It feels like possession numbers across the board were quite low; Williams managed just 14 disposals for the game - 6

35. Caleb Daniel

There were a few players that were down on their regular output, but Daniel was the clear clubhouse leader (or loser, depending on your viewpoint). He managed just eight disposals for the match, and may yet face scrutiny from the MRO following a dangerous tackle in the first term - 2

39. Jason Johannisen

I'm not sure whether it's confidence or form, but Johannisen is certainly lacking in something that is preventing him from finding his very best. Didn't star with his 12 disposals, but again, conditions weren't conducive to his run-and-gun style, although I do think that the effort is there - 5

42. Alex Keath

Stood tall in defence to thwart the threat of Hipwood and Daniher, conceding just the three goals to the star duo all match. Also led the way with eight intercepts, six one-percenters and four spoils. No doubt benefitted from the aerial assistance that manifested in the form of Young's late inclusion, but was still crucial in his own right - 8

44. Tim English

All the Bulldogs tall impressed on a day that wasn't hardly suited for them, but English was head-and-shoulders above them all (pun intended). His five contested marks were a game-high, and contributed to his total of nine for the match. Furthermore, six of them were taken inside-50, and contributed towards his tally of 3.3. When all is said and done, he was probably the difference in the game - 9

Tim English was probably the difference in the game with his three goals. Source: Getty Images