Player Ratings - Round 7

After six consecutive victories, the Western Bulldogs lost for the first time in Season 2021, falling to reigning Premiers Richmond by 22 at the MCG on Friday night.

Despite holding a 19-point lead at half-time, the Bulldogs were overrun in the second half, conceding nine goals while kicking just two of their own.

1. Adam Treloar

Thought he was pretty good, although not as good as he has been in recent weeks. But still, 27 disposals, seven inside-50s and four clearances is a decent night’s works - 8

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Was very important in the first half, but missed a shot in the half time siren that would’ve pushed the lead out to 24-points, and who knows what impact that could’ve had on the game. Much quieter after half time - 7

6. Bailey Smith

Stood up in the face of Dunkley’s absence, with a great goal from outside 50 in the second term capping off his best performance since Round 1 - 7

7. Lachie Hunter

Again, went ok, being the one to sacrifice his high-possession numbers to allow others to get on the ball. Continues to work hard for the team - 7

8. Stefan Martin

Helped the Bulldogs win the hitout count, but didn’t have the impact that he has had in the past. Having to ruck on his own for the vast majority of the game wouldn’t have helped matters - 5

9. Hayden Crozier

Was solid enough defensively, managing five spoils and six one-percenters, but other than that, it wasn’t a big statistical showing - 6

10. Easton Wood

A team-high 11 marks, including four intercepted, which was also a team-high. Did his bit - 8

11. Jackson Macrae

Started strongly, but tailed off as the game went on. Still managed to register 30 disposals for the seventh consecutive game, and remains 270 away from that top 10 ranking - 8

12. Zaine Cordy

Spent most of the game matched up against Tom Lynch, and was second to absolutely everything. Only poor kicking from Lynch (0.5) spared Cordy’s blushes in the first half, before Lynch found the radar with three third-quarter goals. Had decent defensive stats (six spoils and eight one-perceneters were both team-highs), but in reality, was well, well beaten - 2

13. Josh Schache

Absolutely deserved his opportunity after some strong VFL form, but failed to have any impact on the game. Was outmuscled far too easily in just about every marking contest, and although he kicked an important goal in the last term to keep the Bulldogs in it, he just couldn’t get involved. With English to come back, he will need a miracle to avoid going straight back to the reserves - 2

14. Rhylee West

Like Schache, also deserved his opportunity at AFL level, but he too couldn’t get involved. Five disposals and 0.2 doesn’t equate to a big showing - 2

15. Taylor Duryea

Didn’t feel like he had the effect on the rest of the defence as he has done in recent games. Just the 11 disposals - 6

17. Josh Bruce

His worst game for the year. Certainly wasn’t due to a lack of effort, but more perhaps a lack of concentration or focus. Got underneath way too many marking contests, and kicked 1.2, including a missed opportunity in the goal square late in the third term - 3

21. Tom Liberatore

Like many Bulldogs, was great in the first half, but struggled in the second. I think there may have been an over reliance on him to turn the tide when Richmond made their move in the third term. Went home with 23 disposals, 10 clearances and seven tackles - 8

There may have been an over reliance on Tom Liberatore (R) on Friday night, while Aaron Naughton delivered once again. Source: Getty Images

27. Patrick Lipinski

He was ok; it actually might have been one of his better games for the season. Although it will be best remembered for hitting the post when given a great chance to tie the scores in the last quarter. That aside, it was a promising, 23-disposal showing - 7

28. Anthony Scott

Continues to improve as he starts to feel more comfortable in the role in the side. Brought a mountain of pressure in the first half, and showed great anticipation to snap the opening goal of the game. Faded a bit after half time, but was key to establishing the Bulldogs first-half lead. Probably his best game for the club - 7

29. Mitchell Hannan

Missed a decent chance early in the game, and finished with just nine disposals. All in all, not a great club debut - 3

31. Bailey Dale

At half time, he was best on ground, having recorded 20 disposals and creating plenty of drive off of half-back for the Bulldogs. Held to just seven disposals in the second half as the Tigers put the clamps on him. Certainly wasn’t alone in the second-half drop off, though - 8

When the Bulldogs were on top, Bailey Dale was probably best on ground. Source: Getty Images

33. Aaron Naughton

Easily the Bulldogs most potent forward on the night, with his return of 3.0 making him the only Bulldog to kick multiple goals, and one of only three players in the league to have kicked multiple goals in every game this season. Finished with eight marks, including four of them taken inside-50 - 8

35. Caleb Daniel

Back to his best, recording 34 disposals at 91% efficiency. Was regularly the man that the Bulldogs turned to for composure and for getting them out of trouble, and almost always delivered. Also had a team-high seven intercepts - 9

39. Jason Johannisen

This is the type of game and ground where his speed can be a real point of difference, and have a telling impact on the result. He finished with five disposals and two kicks, which is a different kind of telling. Hard to see him keeping his spot across half forward if he maintains those types of numbers - 2

42. Alex Keath

An enormous showing. Spent most of the game on Jack Riewoldt and won the battle convincingly, keeping Riewoldt to just one goal for the night. Also recorded seven intercepts, seven one-percenters, six spoils, and two intercept marks. Things would have been much worse without his presence - 9