Western Bulldogs player ratings from Wildcard Final vs Collingwood Magpies, analysis, stats, best and worst players

Usual suspects Marcus Bontempelli and Aaron Naughton led from the front, but a young forward announced himself — and Luke Beveridge’s bold use of a key-position player raised eyebrows.

Foxfooty.com.au rates every Western Bulldogs player out of 10 from their thrilling Wildcard Final win over Collingwood.

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3. CODY WEIGHTMAN

Manned up by Sam Swadling early. Took 23 minutes for his first disposal, but made it count with a strong mark and set-shot goal. A costly fumble in the forward 50 in the fourth term led to a turnover and Collingwood goal at the other end, but made amends minutes later with a clutch set-shot goal. 5

4. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI

Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall declared: “It’s an almost game that could’ve been one of the best ever.” A big 10-disposal second term, including a breathtaking moment when he marked just inside 50, side-stepped past Nick Daicos and nailed a brilliant running goal to lift his side. At the same time, he also fluffed two attempts in the same quarter when the Dogs could’ve kicked away from Collingwood. But constantly drove his side forward and was inspirational in the fourth term, finishing with 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 score involvements and eight clearances. 8

6. COOPER HYNES

Started on a wing next to Pat Lipinski and had some important moments throughout the game. Garry Lyon said: “He gets better and better as a player. He’s just got a way of finding himself into trouble then out of trouble.” Finished with 19 touches. 6

7. RORY LOBB

Started forward on Jeremy Howe to give the Dogs a second tall forward option but drifted back when his team needed him. A shocking set-shot miss at the start of the fourth term that could’ve helped the Dogs kick away. Garry Lyon lamented Lobb’s inability to impact both in the air and on the ground in the fourth term. 3

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8. MATTHEW KENNEDY

A hard-edge final that suited a hard-edge player. Started on the ball opposed to Nick Daicos at stoppages — and got an early win on the Magpies chap, drifting forward to mark and kick the Dogs’ first goal of the game. Then had a 12-disposal, five-inside 50 second term as part of the Bulldogs’ surge. A huge contested effort in the fourth term saw him undergo a HIA and receive a subsequent concussion diagnosis, but it also led to a Dogs goal. Won’t play next week. 8

9. RYLEY SANDERS

All class. Began the game on the wing. Showed off deft kicking inside 50 and shrewd decision-making throughout the night. Eight of his 25 touches led to Dogs scores. 7

14. RHYLEE WEST

Laid a brilliant tackle on Jordan De Goey as part of a busy first term where he was constantly involved in attacking forays. Then delivered an eight-disposal second term, including a brilliant pass to Aaron Naughton that set up a goal for his teammate, but kicked two behinds. 7

18. JAMES O’DONNELL

Lined up on Dan McStay at the start of the game. Conceded the first goal of the game to McStay, but had a couple of big defensive efforts minutes later, while his spoil in the third term to deny Tim Membrey a mark and set-shot goal was huge. Spoiling all night was a feature. 5

19. CONNOR BUDARICK

Began on Beau McCreery, who was big after quarter-time. Riled up Magpies players and fans when he pushed Nick Daicos in the back off the ball. 4

20. ED RICHARDS

Had Ed Allan at the opening ball-up, but got off the chain early with nine touches and three inside 50s in the first term. Allan put the clamps on across the second and third quarters, but roared back to life in the last on his way to 25 touches and seven clearances for the game. His quick snap goal that gave the Dogs a seven-point lead was telling. 7

24. BUKU KHAMIS

Rotated between Tim Membrey and Lachie Schultz at the start of the game, but tried to play as a spare defender when possible. Couldn’t get his intercept game going, but in general was OK one-on-one. 4

26. JOSH DOLAN

Next to Josh Daicos early. Missed two early goal opportunities, spraying two snap attempts in the first term. 4

27. JOEL FREIJAH

Thrived with the heavily contested nature of the game. A prominent and proficient start at stoppages with three first-quarter clearances, but a poor snap attempt — dubbed “lazy” by Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon — cost the Dogs a late opening-term goal. Fox Footy’s Tom Hawkins said it looked like Freijah “was at home” on the ball, while Jonathan Brown had “worked his way back into form”, adding: “He’s been physical … He’s helped them set up their clearance dominance.” 8

29. LACHLAN BRAMBLE

Showed excellent dare and dash playing as a high half-back. A brilliant half-volley pick-up in the second term set up a Marcus Bontempelli goal. Finished with 22 touches. 6

31. BAILEY DALE

Nice to have him back. A brilliant kick set up a goal to Cody Weightman in the first term. Had 10 touches in the third term and 24 for the game, to go with a team-high four intercept marks. 6

32. ARTHUR JONES

No wonder rival clubs are so keen on this exciting and dangerous uncontracted player. Garry Lyon said: “I tell you what, you’d be lining up for him.” What a night for a career-best four goals! Huge team-lifting moment in the opening quarter, running down Billy Frampton to win a free kick before converting the set shot. Typified his pressure and defensive smarts. Then took a towering mark in the second term that led to his second goal before adding another in the third term. Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall said: “I love the ability of Arty Jones to compete in the air. He’s added an extra string to his bow.” But his best moments came in the fourth term, first chasing down Jeremy Howe to force a loose ball then kicking off the ground to Josh Dolan — who set up Cody Weightman’s goal — then booting his fourth to give the Dogs the lead with less than three minutes left. Jones has interest from Essendon, Brisbane and West Coast, but wants to re-sign at the Dogs. 8

33. AARON NAUGHTON

Thank goodness he was fit to play! Billy Frampton went to him at the first ball-up, but he produced the fourth-highest-rated half by a Bulldogs player ever. Got his confidence up early with two score involvements: A big pack mark that set up a goal to Matt Kennedy then a nice set-shot strike in the first term. Added another two across the second and third terms, then kicked a clutch goal in the fourth term. Trademark competitiveness and high-flying nature was on full display. 8

34. BAILEY WILLIAMS

Took Tim Membrey early. Was solid with his intercepting and rebounding throughout the night. Finished with 17 disposals, seven marks and seven intercepts. 6

35. LUKE KENNEDY

A couple of big moments in the fourth quarter, laying a massive tackle on Jordan De Goey and showing good composure across half-forward minutes later. 5

37. MICHAEL SELLWOOD

Was exposed deep in the final quarter when Jordan De Goey outmarked him one-on-one deep inside 50. Had eight touches and two intercepts. 3

42. SAM DAVIDSON

Big in the second term. Drifted forward in the third term and showed great composure to nail a goal against Collingwood’s momentum, before nailing a rundown tackle on Ed Allan minutes later. Had 19 disposals and six inside 50s. 6

43. RYAN GARDNER

Just his fourth game in the past three seasons! Spent the entire first half on the bench. Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson cheekily said: “I thought the sub rule had gone!” Jason Dunstall said Gardner was being used like a sub as insurance for Naughton and English, but Garry Lyon argued: “It’s a massive call. To go 22 v 23 in a final. To play one down in a big final, incredible.” Came on halfway through the third term — 79 minutes and 15 seconds into the game, to be exact — and showed off his fresh legs with an athletic leap at his first ruck contest, much to the delight of Dogs fans. Finished with three touches from 16 per cent game time. 2

44. TIM ENGLISH

A terrific game in a great battle with Darcy Cameron. Showed off his tremendous aerobic capacity and clean ball use, while he also laid six tackles. 7