Player Ratings - Round 7

The Western Bulldogs worked their way back into the top eight win an impressive win over the GWS Giants on Saturday night.

Holding just a five-point lead at the main break, the Bulldogs piled on five-goals-to-none in the third term to open up a match-winning lead, before going on to secure consecutive victories for the first time this season.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

It’s often suggested that the second game back after a injury lay-off can be the most difficult on footballers, and while Bontempelli started slowly in the opening quarter, he grew into the game over the next two terms, playing a big role in helping the Bulldogs build their lead. He picked 22 disposals, eight clearances and 10 score involvements, including a career-high four goal assists. His night would’ve been even bigger but for the decision to rest his legs and sub him out at three-quarter time with the Dogs 37 points up. What a luxury - 8

5. Jedd Busslinger

After over two years of waiting, Jedd Busslinger finally got his chance at AFL level, tasked with the responsibility of quelling a dangerous Giants forward line. Showed good anticipation early to intercept a goal-bound effort, and while he look a little uncertain with ball in hand at times, generally dealt well with most things that came his way. He finished the night with 12 disposals at 83% efficiency, but was one of the Bulldogs best defensively, with his two intercept marks and seven spoils both team-highs, while only Bailey Williams bettered his five intercepts. Spent most of the night on Aaron Cadman, who only booted one goal late in the game - 6

6. Cooper Hynes

For the second week in a row, Hynes was named as the sub, but his services weren’t needed until three-quarter time, when the game was already decided. Spent most of the final term in the forward line and got into some dangerous positions on a couple of occasions, but ultimately finished with just three possessions and no score - 2

7.  Rory Lobb

Spent the opening term leading the backline with a pair of inexperienced key defenders alongside him, before Luke Beveridge made the decision to move Lobb up to the forward line. It was a brave decision from Luke Beveridge, but it paid dividends; Lobb kicked two goals and provided some much-needed assistance for Aaron Naughton, while key defenders Busslinger and James O’Donnell were able to handle most of what came their way down back - 7

8. Matthew Kennedy

Set the Bulldogs on their way with the opening goal of the night, with the industry we’ve grown so accustomed to rising to the fore once again, finishing the night with 26 disposals, seven clearances and two goals. Is he the recruit of the year? We’re only a third of the way through the season, but his grit has been the perfect foil for some of the Bulldogs classier midfielders - 8

Matthew Kennedy (L) and Tom Liberatore were excellent in the win against the GWS Giants: Source: Getty Images

9. Ryley Sanders

He wasn’t quite as dominant as last week, with just 20 disposals that included only six kicks. The positive to take away from this performance is that it still wasn’t a terrible performance, which is an improvement on last year where some of his quieter performances were very quiet. This time around he is still finding ways to get involved even if he isn’t dominating the stats sheet. Taken at such a high draft pick, it’s easy to forget that Saturday was only his 21st game - 5

14. Rhylee West

The quintessential low-possession, high-impact game. West only had seven disposals, but five of those resulted in a score, including three goals off his own boot, taking him up to 10 for the season. His pressure was also immense, laying a game-high six tackles, as he led the charge in suffocating the Giants - 8

18. James O’Donnell

Tasked with the responsibility of keeping reigning Coleman Medalist Jesse Hogan in check, and while the Giants spearhead had moments where he threatened to impose himself on the match, O’Donnell did an admirable job keeping Hogan to just two goals all night, with one of them coming very late on when the game was over. Granted, like Busslinger, O’Donnell did lean on his fellow Bulldogs to establish a team defence which provided him with more protection and made his life a bit easier, but it was still a sound showing - 6

20. Ed Richards

The Bulldogs won a staggering 55 clearances on Saturday night, and Ed Richards was the main architect behind said dominance. Whether it was fattening his stats with the game-high nine clearances that he won on his own, or whether it was holding his width to receive the handpass and drive the Bulldogs deep into attack, he was why the Bulldogs held such territorial dominance throughout the night. He had 18 kicks from his 27 disposals, which contributed to his 702m gained; no other Bulldog manaegd more than 500! - 9

21. Tom Liberatore

Just another first-class performance from the vice-captain, who toiled away to collect another 28 disposals, five clearances and four tackles. Perhaps hasn’t stood out as much over the past couple of weeks as midfield reinforcements begin to filter through, but is still playing as well as he ever has, and with plenty of his midfield mates pulling their weight, it will make his job easier as the season progresses - 8. 

22. James Harmes

All week long the question was “who will stand up in the absence of Sam Darcy?”. While plenty of players chipped in with scoreboard contributions, none had a bigger impact than James Harmes, who booted an equal-career-high four goals to go with his 22 disposals. While the Bulldogs eventually built a big lead towards the end of the game, Harmes made his mark when the game was at its tightest; his first goal was a clever snap from the pocket to keep the Bulldogs in touch when they were on the back foot, before booting two more opportunistic goals in the second term as the Bulldogs made their move. His fourth - an exquisite set shot from the boundary line - put the full stop on arguably his best game for the club - 9 

James Harmes celebrates one of his four goals against the GWS Giants. Source: Getty Images

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Came back into the side after a couple of weeks out with injury, and looked a little rusty on return. As is always the case with Vandermeer, the effort couldn’t be faulted, with his five tackles only bettered by Rhylee West, but only managed six disposals at 50% efficiency, with a couple of dropped chest marks in particular standing out. Should be better for just getting through the match - 3

24. Buku Khamis

Used again as a key forward who also took turns in the ruck, Khamis didn’t have a big game, but contributed with a couple of important moments. Took a strong contested mark at centre-half forward in the second term, and sealed the win with a long-range goal in the final term - his first of the year. Will need to contribute more consistently in the coming weeks as Sam Darcy continues to remain sidelined - 4

26. Josh Dolan

A very quiet night, picking up just three disposals, one tackle and no score involvements. Had been building nicely over the past couple of weeks so this performance was definitely a step back, but a good learning experience for him - 1

27. Joel Freijah

An insane performance from a man who has enjoyed a stellar fortnight. Picked up 27 disposals and nine clearances (including four centre clearances), while also playing a hand in eight scores, with his slick skills by hand in particular playing a key role in two Bulldogs goals during the second quarter. Also led the way with a game-high 19 contested possessions, despite being known more for his outside work. A contender for best on ground - 9

29. Lachie Bramble

A number of the Bulldogs smaller defenders were forced to sacrifice their own game to help provide cover for the inexperienced key defenders that the team ran with on Saturday. As a result, Bramble was one of a number of players whose own numbers suffered. With just 14 disposals at 57% efficiency, two intercept possessions and zero score involvements, it wasn’t a big game from him, but equally so, the Giants forward line failed to have a major impact, so Bramble and co. deserve credit for that - 6

31. Bailey Dale

Like Bramble, Dale’s numbers were also down on his usual output as defending became more of a priority throughout the night, but still managed to have an impact on the game with his offensive nous. Only had the 20 disposals overall, but gained 465m and registered seven score involvements in the process, with his core strength to break tackles a real feature once again - 7

33. Aaron Naughton

Toiled hard without much success against a familiar foe in Sam Taylor in his 150th game, with most kicks early either being placed on his head or over it. He continued to work hard despite the frustrations to finished the night with 14 disposals, five marks and a goal late in the game. The effort was definitely there during the night, but just didn’t have the output - 5

34. Bailey Williams

Continues to go under the radar in Season 2025, with another 20 disposals and seven intercept possessions, all while using the ball at an economic 85% efficiency. The Bulldogs resisted the temptation to use him as a makeshift key defender, and they were rewarded with another fine performance in his usual spot on the wing. He’s become an important cog in the Bulldogs lineup - 8

36. Luke Cleary

For only the second time in his career, Cleary played his third match in a row on Saturday night, and again showed signs that he can make it at this level, with another tidy performance. Cleary only finished with the 11 disposals, but five of those led to a score, with 10 of them being effective. He was defensively strong too in an inexperienced backline, claiming four intercepts and being only one of two Bulldogs to take two intercept marks. Building nicely - 6  

39. Jason Johannisen

The last few years have been a struggle for Johannisen, with a spate of soft tissue injuries keeping him out for extended periods of time in each of the last three seasons. But in Canberra’s cold, dewy conditions, Johannisen played out a solid game on Saturday night, with 15 disposals, 405m gained, and a goal in the second term. His reward for getting through the match? A 200th appearance in Ballarat this weekend. From Pick 39 in the 2011 Rookie Draft, it’s been quite a story - 7

42. Sam Davidson

While Bailey Williams continues to star on one wing, Davidson’s star rises on the other. The more offensive of the two, Davidson picked up 15 disposals, eight score involvements and five inside-50s, before adding a goal to his resume. Given how quickly he has settled into the system, it’s hard to imagine a Bulldogs side without him, despite this being just his seventh game - 7

44. Tim English

Enjoyed one of his best performances of the season, with 23 disposals, eight marks, seven clearances, and a goal that gave the Bulldogs the lead after the Half-Time siren. But we’re used to all of that; it was his ruckwork that catapulted his performance this week. Against Kieran Briggs, English won more hitouts (34-23) and hitouts to advantage (5-3), as he played a crucial role in the Bulldogs winning the midfield battle. The +22 clearance advantage starts from two crucial factors: English winning enough hitouts to give his teammates the first possession, but also not allowing Briggs to throw his weight around. Against a physical ruck (which English has nororoiusly struggled against in recent seasons), English deserves full credit for his game - 9