Player Ratings - Round 8

The Western Bulldogs produced a statement performance in Ballarat on the weekend, recording a 90-point thumping of Port Adelaide.

After an even opening term that saw both sides kick two goals apiece, the Bulldogs put the foot down, booting 18 of the last 21 goals of the match to catapult themselves (albeit temporarily) into the top four.

1. Adam Treloar

Into the lineup for the first time this year, and eased nicely into his work. Spent a bit more time away from the midfield compared to last season, with stints across half forward and half back, but it had little effect on his ability to find the ball, picking up 27 possessions, king score involvements and seven clearances. The cherry on top came with a snap late in the final term, which saw every teammates get around to him to celebrate one of the most popular goals of the day - 8

4. Marcus Bontempelli

A rare quiet start - just two disposals to his name in the opening term - but after Port Adelaide fired its best shot, The Bont flexed his muscle after quarter time to produce a dominant display. Spending a bit more time out of the midfield mix, Bontempelli still finished with 23 disposals, 10 score involvements and 3.1. Also laid eight tackles in a complete display - 8

5. Jedd Busslinger

Named the sub in a bit of a shock move by the Bulldogs’ brains trust, but James O’Donnell and Rory Lobb conducted themselves so well that a third key defender wasn’t required during the game. Came on late and picked up a couple of touches, but the match had been won long before Busslinger’s introduction - 2

7. Rory Lobb

Faced with the daunting challenge of defending a Port side that kicked with a strong breeze in the opening term Lobb combined really well with James O’Donnell to restrict the Power to just two goals, with the way the two positioned themselves to cut out numerous Port Adelaide attacks being a real feature. The Bulldogs’ dominance meant that Lobb didn’t have much to do after quarter-time, but playing a key role in helping the Bulldogs break even in the first term despite Port Adelaide’s advantage with the breeze set up the win - 8 

8. Matthew Kennedy

Crashed and bashed his way through Port Adelaide’s midfield all day, picking up 26 disposals on the day, with his 13 contested possessions, 11 clearances and eight tackles all team-highs. Loses marks for his efficiency (53% a team-low), but that can happen given his role. We say it every week, but this pickup is looking better by the week - 8 

9. Ryley Sanders

Fumble the ball twice in a matter of seconds at half-back early in the match, and it set the tone for a below-par performance. Kicked a goal in the second term to help the Bulldogs kick away, but it was just one of two kicks from him all afternoon, with his 17 disposals gaining just 32 metres. He was one of the Bulldogs’ best regarding score involvements, playing a hand in seven of them, and his disposal efficiency was quite high at 88%, but it wasn't his most impactful game - 5

14. Rhylee West

Enjoyed another good showing in that small forward role, playing a hand in 10 scores from his 15 disposals, including two goals - one a very clever snap into the breeze in the opening term. It’s a testament to him that he’s been able to put his head down and adapt to a role that was initially unfamiliar with; he’s been rewarded with a permanent spot in the side, and is getting better with every game - 8

18. James O’Donnell

Was placed under all kinds of pressure in the opening term as Port kicked with a telling breeze. But O’Donnell was superb, cutting out almost everything that the Power sent his way. His positioning was excellent, regularly being in the right spot to win the ball back, with the communication between he and his fellow defenders playing a crucial role. He took two intercept marks and made eight spoils across the match, but his job was effectively done by quarter time. After helping restrict the Power to just two goals in the first term, before the Bullogs booted six goals with the aid of the breeze in the second, O’Donnell had already done his bit in setting up the team’s victory - 9

20. Ed Richards

We’ve got to start talking about Eddie’s Pocket…no, not Eddie Betts at Adelaide Oval, but Ed Richards at Mars Stadium. Set the Bulldogs on their way with an outstanding banana in the second term, amassing 30 possessions at 80% efficiency, 11 inside-50s, and 729m gained - 154 more than anyone else on the ground. Added a second goal to his tally in the third term, and the AFL Player Ratings scored him at 33.4, the second-highest score from any player in 2025. A completely dominant display from a man who has barley been a midfielder for 12 months - 10

Ed Richards kicked yet another goal from *that* pocket on Saturday. Source: Getty Images

21. Tom Liberatore

Has been outstanding this season, but he wasn’t on Saturday. His 19 disposals were a season-low, laying just two tackles for the game. His five clearances were second only to Ed Richards, but this was probably his worst performance of the year. The silver lining is that the Bulldogs still won by 90 points, which points how to deep the club’s midfield stocks run that Liberatore doesn’t need to dominate for the Bulldogs to win big - 4 

22. James Harmes

Another hardworking display from Harmes, who finished the game with 20 disposals and six marks. Competed well in the air up forward, and won five intercepts through some strong pressure. Didn’t impact the scoreboard, but came close in the third term with an effort that hit the post - 7

23. Laitham Vandermeer

A better showing this week, although still drifted in and out of the game at times. Finished with six score involvements from 15 disposals, but failed to kick a goal himself, missing a chance right at the end of the game to extend the margin to what would’ve been a record 94-point win against the Power - 5

24. Buku Khamis

Started the game up forward as he sought to provide support for Aaron Naughton, and was excellent throughout. He only finished with the eight disposals, but he kept Port Adelaide’s defenders honest all day and was a constant threat for four quarters. Consistently got himself into dangerous positions and had a big influence on the game, especially early. Kicked the Bulldogs first goal of the day following a clever mark on the goal line, before doubling his tally with the wind in the second term. One of his best games as a forward - 8

27. Joel Freijah

Back in Ballarat, Freijah demonstrated his class with a terrific third-quarter goal, which included a sidestep and finish with the outside of the boot. It was one of the most popular goals of the day, and the best moment in a solid game from Freijah. He finished with 19 disposals, seven inside 50s and five clearances, although his disposals efficiency wasn’t at its best, going at just 57% - 7

29. Lachie Bramble

Having been part of the backline that kept Port Adelaide to just two goals with the breeze in the opening term, there was very little for Bramble to do defensively after quarter time. Offensively, he picked up 15 disposals and a career-high four clearances - 7

30. Lachie McNeil

Back in the side after missing one match with a hamstring injury, and McNeil contributed effectively once again. Recorded eight score involvements from his 16 disposals, which included a goal in the fourth term, maintaining a streak of a goal in every game he has played this year. Almost managed a second into the breeze with an effort that just fell short - 7

31. Bailey Dale

The King of Mars did it again on Saturday. Of the 20 Brownlow votes Dale has accrued over his career, seven have come from his performances at Mars Stadium, and 31-disposal performance on the weekend, there’s every chance he’ll add to that tally. His 22 kicks came at 86% efficiency, recorded eight rebounds and gained 559m in another top performance - 9

33. Aaron Naughton

Got a bit more reward for his efforts this week as the Bulldogs feasted on Port Adelaide. His seven marks were second only to Bailey Williams he had nine score involvements and kicked 3.1; the fourth time he’s managed three goals in a game this season - 8

34. Bailey Williams

Helped out in the Bulldogs defensive half in the opening term to great effect, positioning himself well to put an end to several Port Adelaide attacks. Once the Bulldogs got on the front foot, Williams helped himself to 21 disposals and eight marks, all going at 85% efficiency in another accomplished display from the winger - 8

36. Luke Cleary

Like many defenders around him, Cleary wasn’t called upon too often to defend after quarter time, dealing with most of what came to him with minimal fuss. Made the most of the license to drift forward as the game progressed, getting on the end of a chain of handpasses to boot his first goal for the club in the second term - a nice finish from just inside 50. It was one of 13 possessions at 84% efficiency that included four intercepts and three spoils - 7

39. Jason Johannisen

In game 200, the popular Johannisen put in a workmanlike shift that displayed all the traits that have endeared him to the Bulldogs faithful over the years. There were marauding runs along the wing, some long kicking to surge the Bulldogs into attack, and decisive moments in defence that helped to break up promising Port Adelaide attacks. Johannisen finished with 17 disposals, seven score involvements and five inside-50s. He may be ageing, but he showed that he is still part of the Bulldogs best lineup when fit - 7

42. Sam Davidson

Maybe it was the blustery conditions. Perhaps it was just an off day for Davidson. Either way, he was well down on his use of the ball, with just four of his 10 kicks hitting the target (only Liberatore had a worse kicking efficiency on the day). He did record six score involvements, but two of those were behinds off his own boot. Was subbed out halfway in the last term - 4

44. Tim English

Got jumped by Jordon Sweet early, as Port Adelaide won the first 11 clearances of the game. But responded emphatically, producing the best performance of his career. Finished the game with 27 disposals and three goals (both career-highs), while also recording a remarkable 17 score involvements which was not only a game-high, but was also the joint-most ever recorded by a ruckman in league history. The hitout count was slightly lopsided in favour of Sweet (47-30), but English won the hitout-to-advantage count 11-10 and more important, didn’t allow Sweet to make the most of his hitouts after the early onslaught. An outstanding response and tremendous performance - 10

Tim English (L) did it all against Port Adelaide on Saturday. Source: Getty Images