Player Ratings - Round Two

The Western Bulldogs maintained their perfect start to the season with a narrow six-point win against Adelaide on Friday Night.

Despite leading for most of the match, the Bulldogs were headed late in the final term as the Crows piled on five goals in 13 minutes, before steadying late to record their first victory against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

The eye test said that he didn’t have a massive influence on the match; certainly not compared to his feats against the Giants the week prior. The stats would suggest otherwise: he finished with 30 disposals at 83% efficiency, seven clearances, six tackles and a goal of his own. Was also crucial in the final minutes, setting up the Bailey Williams goal that tied the scores – 9

6. Cooper Hynes

Another quiet game from him, having played just 42% of the match. Turned over four of his five possessions, with the most notable one being an unnecessary kick to centre-half back in the final term that sold Lachie Jaques straight into trouble and cost the Bulldogs a goal at a critical time. One of the few Bulldogs whose spot is at risk – 1

7. Rory Lobb

Wasn’t the standout defender for the Bulldogs (we’ll get to those guys later) but worked well in tandem with the rest of the back six, who all put in tremendous shifts. Registered six spoils and five intercepts to go along with nine disposals, but eight of them cleared the defensive 50 – 7

8. Matthew Kennedy

Toiled away all night through the midfield, with 27 disposals six tackles and a game-high eight clearances. His most notable defensive effort came when he won a 1v2 situation after half-forward following a kick-in, which resulted directly in a Bontempelli goal – 9

9. Ryley Sanders

Was never far away from the action and again reasonably tidy, with 19 disposals at 84% efficiency, while also recording three centre clearances despite attending only seven times. Made a couple of decisions by hand that found teammates who were already under immediate pressure, but was solid throughout – 7

10. Sam Darcy

Was frustrated by Jordon Butts all night, regularly being outpointed by the key defender, and it came to a head in the third term when Darcy gave away a free kick followed by a rare 100m penalty. Fortunately, Butts missed from close range, and while Darcy didn’t have a great game thereafter, he did contribute. He nailed a tough set shot a few minutes after the Butts miss, before setting up Oskar Baker’s match-winner in the final term. Finding ways to impact despite being bested was encouraging, but it still wasn’t a great night – 2

11. Lachie Jaques

Was used a little further up the ground at times this week, but was still a reliable contributor all game. Hit the target 14 times with his 16 disposals, taking six marks and driving the Bulldogs inside attacking 50 four times. Got crunched by Callum Ah Chee in the final term but bounced back up to play out the match. Continues to build nicely – 7

13. Oskar Baker

Set the tone early with great forward pressure to kick the opening goal of the night, and the Bulldogs followed his lead. Baker only finished with the eight disposals, but made each of them count, adding a further two goals to his tally before the night was done, including, of course, the matchwinner from right on the boundary line in the final minutes; a goal which is now surely the highlight of Baker’s nine-season career – 8

14. Rhylee West

Was well held, failing to score from six disposals and recording just one score involvement. He laid four tackles, so the effort hasn’t gone anywhere, but after a career-best season last year, it does feel like more attention is being given to him, and he’s struggling to work his way through it – 3

16. Jordan Croft

Took an excellent mark in the second term and converted from close range, but it was practically his only involvement in the game, with one third-quarter handpass his only other stat for the night from just 52% game time – 2

18. James O’Donnell

Took his turn against each of Adelaide’s three tall forwards and was superb all night. Nullifying pretty much everything that came his way, he collected six intercept possessions and made seven spoils, despite making his way from the ground for an extended period of time in the third term. Was particularly crucial in the final 10 minutes, with his defensive efforts regularly keeping the ball inside the Bulldogs attacking half, before applying the key smother that set up Oskar Baker’s matchwinner – 9

19. Connor Budarick

Wasn’t quite as influential as he has been in the first two matches, but was still a calming enough presence in defence. His 21 disposals came at 85% efficiency, with a third of them playing a role in scores. Gained nearly 400m with the ball also – 7

20. Ed Richards

A more blue-collar display than what we’ve grown used to seeing with Richards but still worked very hard in the midfield for the Bulldogs. He finished with 29 disposals (12 contested) and a team-high eight inside 50s, but it all came at just 59% efficiency – 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Was stellar again like always, standing up in the heat of ferocious opposition. Over the course of the night, he picked up 28 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances, but in the days since it emerged that he suffered a hamstring strain in the third term. Despite this he still played 79% of the final term, collecting eight disposals, five contested possessions, three clearances and two tackles. He will be missed – 9

24. Buku Khamis

Used more as a sweeper on the last line of defence rather than shoulder-to-shoulder with any one Adelaide key forward, but was outstanding nonetheless, playing arguably the best game of his career. Did the defending first, with his 10 intercept possessions and 11 spoils both team-highs and lost just one of his four one-on-ones down back. But maintained his positive approach to ball movement going the other way, with a career-high 20 disposals coming at 80% efficiency. Is he the most improved player in the competition? It’s up for debate, but there’s no doubting what a red-letter day this was for Khamis – 10

Buku Khamis was enormous on Friday night. Source: Getty Images

27. Joel Freijah

Was absolutely everywhere in the first half. Used more in the forward half to start the game, he caused Adelaide’s defence all sorts of problems early, winning a free kick in the goal square for his first goal of the match before adding two more before the half was up, as well as giving away another one in the second term. By half time he had 18 disposals to go with his three goals. His influence waned after half time (including just one disposal in the final term), but his fast start helped build a Bulldogs lead that they maintained for most of the night – 9

29. Lachie Bramble

Was perhaps underutilised, with the 69% of game time he spent on the ground the third lowest of any Bulldog. Would also explain why he managed just the 14 disposals. He went at 80% efficiency and did contribute to six scores, but one of them was a behind on the run in the opening term that you would’ve expected him to convert – 5

31. Bailey Dale

Looks to still be struggling to build his way into the season, with another performance that was just ok. 20 disposals at 80% is solid, but his performances still seem to be lacking the bite that last year’s All-Australian campaign had. Did have an injury-interrupted summer which may be partly to blame and he did show his value late on with a pin-point kick-in as the Bulldogs defended their lead in the final minute. The bye could prove a timely intervention for him – 5

33. Aaron Naughton

Struggled to impact the first half, with three disposals and 0.1 to his name only at the main break. Lifted after half time for the Bulldogs, kicking the first goal of the second half before adding another in the third term. Only had one disposal in the final term, but it was another major after being given a free kick for a strong tackle inside 50. Even so, his presence came and went throughout the night, but his ability to still contribute is an encouraging sign, and a key reason for the Bulldogs victory – 7

34. Bailey Williams

Another great game on the wing as he continues to evolve into a more offensive-minded winger. Drifted forward to add two goals to his 23 disposals, including a dramatic snap to tie the scores with only a few minutes remaining. Also collected a team-high 10 marks to round off what’s been a strong start to the season – 9

37. Michael Sellwood

Telegraphed a few of his disposals in the defensive half but still looks very accomplished for a man playing his third game. Finished with 16 disposals and six marks for the night, with his eight intercepts bettered only by Khamis, and was the only Bulldog to take multiple intercept marks – 7

42. Sam Davidson

Felt like he was involved a lot more than he actually was, finishing with just seven disposals, and turning over four of them. A good experience for him, but not a good game - 3

44. Tim English

Caught in a ruck duel with McAndrew and was arguably just beaten overall, with McAndrew winning hitouts (38-32) and hitouts to advantage (14-10). English won a bit more of the ball and was a lot more efficient with it, but would’ve been disappointed to not take greater advantage up against a man in his fourth game - 5