Player Ratings - Round 5

The Western Bulldogs suffered a difficult defeat at the hands of the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, going down by 21 points at Norwood Oval.

Despite holding a 39-point lead at one stage during the third term, the Bulldogs coughed up 13 of the last 16 goals of the game, to walk away without a win in Gather Round from three attempts.

6. Cooper Hynes

The Bulldogs’ prized draftee was handed his league debut on Saturday, but while it was a special occasion for Hynes, it’s unlikely to be his finest performance for the club. Won just the three disposals and failed to score. One of the biggest queries over Hynes when he first arrived at the club was his endurance, and Saturday proved that there is still much to be done in this regard. Hynes wilted in the Norwood heat, playing just 60% of the match - the lowest amount of game time outside of the subbed James Harmes - 2

7.  Rory Lobb

Started the game strongly, regularly thwarting Brisbane’s ventures forward in the first half, collecting 13 disposals to the main break, but lost control in the second half as the Lions came back, with the key forwards growing into the match as it progressed. Finished with three intercept marks and a team-high eight intercept possessions - 7

8. Matthew Kennedy

Fought hard in the midfield, which is no less than what we’ve come to expect from him, finishing with 27 disposals, six clearances and 513m gained. Loses points for his use of the footy; his disposal efficiency (44.4%) and kicking efficiency (27.8%) were both game-lows - 6

9. Ryley Sanders

Was dominant in the first half, picking up 17 disposals and establishing himself as one of the driving forces out of the Bulldogs midfield. But faded as the Lions got on top in the second half, collecting the footy just five more times. Even when he was finding plenty of the football, he still looked to be taking a fraction too long to make a decision, but continues to improve in his second season - 7

10. Sam Darcy

Tasked with the difficult assignment of lining up against Harris Andrews, Darcy more than held his own after a slow start, finishing with 12 score involvements and reeling in eight marks, including five inside attacking 50, but failed to capitalise on his opportunities, kicking 2.3. One of those behinds was particularly controversial, with the on-field call being overturned despite the replays providing inconclusive evidence, while another was a straightfoward chance that was spurned late in the third, keeping the Lions in the game - 7

14. Rhylee West

Like many of his Bulldogs teammates, West dominated the first half as he spent an unusually large amount of time in the midfield, and was influential in the second quarter as the Bulldogs dominated the term. He had 15 disposals to his name at the main break and was one of the best players on the ground. His impact waned in the second half, but still enjoyed a season-high 24 disposals and four clearances in what was one of his best games for the club - 8

18. James O’Donnell

Continued on in his support-cast role up forward, providing support for Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton. Failed to score from his seven disposals, and none of his three marks were taken inside forward 50. It seems as though O’Donnell will retain this role for the foreseeable future, but one wonders what might become of him when (or potentially if) Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returns to the starting lineup - 3

19. Liam Jones

For the second week in a row, he looked out of sorts in the Bulldogs defence, losing touch with his opponent regularly and looking panicked with the football. Brisbane’s two key forwards combined for 9.0, and while they weren’t all down to Jones, it is a concern to see the veteran and centrepiece of the Bulldogs backline looking as vulnerable as he has the past fortnight - 3

20. Ed Richards

Was the Bulldogs’ driving force through the midfield once again, winning a team-high 29 disposals and 13 score involvements, while also gathering eight clearances, eight inside-50s and gaining 525m. One of the few Bulldogs that can hold their head up high with a consistent four-quarter performance - 9

Ed Richards was a force for the Bulldogs all day. Source: Getty Images

21. Tom Liberatore

A performance that was slightly down compared to his opening month to the season, but it was still a solid showing. Picked up 24 disposals and nine clearances, saving his best for the true centre of the ground, with a game-high seven centre clearances. Had the footy just four times in the final term when the game was up for grabs - 7

22. James Harmes

Suffered a foot injury in the opening minutes and was subbed out without a stat to his name. The good news is that he has been cleared of anything serious, but we still await a timeline on his return - 1

24. Buku Khamis

Wasn’t the worst defensively; he was engaged in three defensive one-on-ones and didn’t lose any of them, while garnering six spoils, six intercept possessions and two intercept marks. Avoided a repeat of any of the catastrophes that plagued him in Perth - 6

26. Josh Dolan

Starting as the sub, Dolan was thrown into the action within minutes and finally managed his first goal for the club with a clever snap moments into the second term. He was a particularly bright spark in that quarter as the Bulldogs made their move, but like many of his teammates, faded as the match progressed. Finished with four score involvements from 11 disposals - 5

27. Joel Freijah

Was generally tidy with his 17 disposals, which included a second-quarter goal that helped the Bulldogs on their way. But his performance will be remembered for two costly misses; one in the final minute of the third term that saw Brisbane go straight up the other end and goal, and another one of the run in the last that would’ve seen the Bulldogs regain the lead. They weren’t the reason why the Bulldogs lost, but they were crucial - 5 

29. Lachie Bramble

Easily his best game for the year. Bramble collected 22 disposals across half-back with an efficiency of 90% and even drifted forward to kick a goal in the second term. Also played a role in seven scores as he created plenty drive around the ground for the Bulldogs, finishing with a game-high 545 metres gained - 8

30. Lachie McNeil

Found plenty of the ball - a career-high 18 disposals - and his pressure around the contest with strong, also, with only Tom Liberatore bettering his effort of four tackles. One of three Bulldogs to claim two goal assists, while also managing a goal himself right at the end of the game. Had an opportunity to at least tie the scores in the final term, but blazed away and missed everything - 7

31. Bailey Dale

Had that one short chip deep in defence that gifted Brisbane a goal, and by extension, a route back into the match. It was a needless turnover from an experienced player at a time when there was no need to take risks. It was the lowlight in a performance that never really got going; while he did pick up eight intercept possessions, he managed just 14 kicks at an efficiency of 64% - 5

33. Aaron Naughton

Started strongly, with two goals to his name to half time and was looking dangerous in the Bulldogs forward line. It was probably the most effective he and Sam Darcy had looked as a partnership all season. He extended the Bulldogs lead with his third goal four minutes into the third term, but didn’t touch the ball for the rest of the game - 5

34. Bailey Williams

Was deployed exclusively between the arcs, highlighted by the fact that he had just one inside-50 and one rebound-50, but the work that he did in the middle was very strong. He finished the match with 19 disposals, six intercept possessions, and eight score involvements, including a final-quarter goal that helped the Bulldogs stage a late fightback - 7

36. Luke Cleary

Back in the side for the first time since his concussion in Round 1, and was solid without starring. Probably could’ve done better at preventing Brisbane’s first goal of the day, and was also guilty of missing an important chance in the third term that would’ve halted Brisbane’s momentum. Did his job defensively, with seven of his 12 possessions being intercepts, while also taking two intercept marks and effecting six spoils. It will be interesting to see if he’s given another opportunity this week - 6

39. Jason Johannisen

In his first appearance since Round 9 last year, Johannisen clearly struggled to adapt to the pace of the game, going statless in both the first and last term. Managed nine disposals in the quarters between and played a hand in four scores, showing that he can still contribute at the level. He’ll be better for the run, even if it wasn’t his best game - 3

In his first game for the Bulldogs since Round 9 last year, Jason Johannisen struggled. Source: Getty Images

42. Sam Davidson

It was another solid showing on the wing from a man who, in his fifth game, had to contend with the likes of Hugh McCluggage for most of the afternoon. Davidson picked up 14 disposals and went at 100% efficiency by foot, but went inside 50 just one, and gained only 208 metres - 5

44. Tim English

Credit has to be given for his ruckwork thus far in 2025; it’s probably been the best season he’s had in terms of ruck work. Although he was beaten by McInenery in the hitout count 43-32, English won the hitout to advantage count 10-9, and the Bulldogs dominance in the centre clearances (22-13), was won in part due to English’s efforts. His ruckwork around the ground left a bit to be desired at times (Brisbane winning the stoppage clearances 31-19), and fell over at a crucial moment in a one-on-one at half-forward in the third term, but his work around the ground was otherwise ok, with a team-high four intercept marks to go with 18 disposals - 7