The Western Bulldogs have picked up their second win of the season after easily accounting for West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After a promising start for the visitors, the Bulldogs began to get on top in the second quarter and that dominance continued until the final siren as they ended up prevailing by a strong 76 points with the score line 16.10 (106) to 3.12 (30).
The Bulldogs were led primarily by Tim English who was dominant in the ruck and around the ground while several flankers in Laitham Vandermeer, Bailey Williams, Jason Johannisen and Bailey Dale enjoyed running with the footy in open spaces.
For the Eagles, Jeremy McGovern was typically strong as an intercept defender while senior midfielders Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly did well up against the big guns of the Bulldogs’ on-ball group.
The Bulldogs will hope to go 3-1 when they face Geelong on Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval during Gather Round, while West Coast appear up against it to pick up their first win of the year when they meet Sydney at Adelaide Hills on the same day.
Our player ratings:
Western Bulldogs
Tim English: A+
The best player on the ground when the game was there to be won. Kicked a couple of goals, operated as another midfielder at ground level and even linked up with his teammates around the ground with 17 disposals.
Laitham Vandermeer: A
His best game in a while. Impacted up forward and across the ground with his power running. Won’t always impact like this but would be thrilled to get some genuine reward for effort.
Adam Treloar: A
With Bontempelli spending some time up forward and Liberatore subbed off, Treloar was the primary ball-winner for the Dogs with 35 disposals and he had a big say on proceedings.
Aaron Naughton: A
While he only kicked one goal, Naughton was superb around the ground taking eight marks and picking up 20 disposals. Also had a big say in plenty of his teammates’ majors.
Marcus Bontempelli: A
Didn’t have his typically big numbers as he was minded at stoppage when he was there and also spent some time resting forward. Still made his touches count when he got it despite finishing with three goals and 16 disposals.
Bailey Williams: A
One of a few Bulldogs half-backs that free wheeled and picked up plenty of footy as well as marks. Alongside Bailey Dale and the dashing Jason Johannisen, this trio gave their side the starts they needed from defensive 50.
Bailey Dale: B+
See above.
Jason Johannisen: B+
See above.
Harvey Gallagher: B+
Kicked a couple of really nice goals and got enough footy on the wing. Bulldogs fans would be thrilled with this kind of output from a player with such little experience.
Lachie Bramble: B+
Another nice game from the off-season recruit, looking a steal as a flanker/wingman that can get a decent amount of footy.
Tom Liberatore: B
Was very good throughout the first three quarters picking up 18 disposals but was subbed out at three-quarter time for Caleb Poulter once the game was beyond doubt.
Buku Khamis: B
Showing some really nice signs as an intercepting back.
Taylor Duryea: B
Oskar Baker: B
Cody Weightman: B
Didn’t get a lot of it but kicked a couple of goals.
Liam Jones: B
Rhylee West: B
Kicked a goal and is important for his defensive pressure inside 50.
Ryley Sanders: B-
Showed some nice signs in a central midfield role.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan: C+
Kicked a goal but could have had a few more if he made the most of his chances inside 50.
Caleb Daniel: C+
Sam Darcy: C
Wasn’t poor in a second-ruck/forward role kicking a goal.
Jack Macrae: C
Started as a half forward and ran through the midfield. Didn’t really impact much and was often handballing.
Caleb Poulter: N/A
Was subbed on for Liberatore at three-quarter time but didn’t have long enough to impact.
West Coast
Elliot Yeo: A
Had a really solid game on ball and picked up eight clearances. Also did well when given the task of minding some of the Dogs’ best on-ballers. Finished with disposals.
Jeremy McGovern: A
Another strong game from the veteran. Finished with 11 marks and made the Dogs go around him all day in defence.
Tim Kelly: A
Was quality all day in the midfield and did well head to. head with the likes of Bontempelli and Liberatore. Finished with 28 disposals.
Liam Duggan: B+
Used it nicely in defence and also ran through the midfield a bit for his 21 disposals.
Jake Waterman: B+
Made Liam Jones work all day. Got the footy up the ground and finished with a goal.
Tom Barrass: B
Solid Barrass performance while dealing with some strong tall forwards.
Callum Jamieson: B-
A nice game playing on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Looks to be a really solid defensive prospect.
Jamie Cripps: B-
Kicked a goal but ended with five points to his name. Would have been far better if he were accurate.
Bailey Williams: B-
Helped his side get plenty of clearances with his tap work but was beaten around the ground by English.
Jayden Hunt: B-
Harley Reid: B-
Rotated from half back to midfield but didn’t have a lot of it despite showing some nice signs.
Reuben Ginbey: C+
Showed some nice ball-winning signs but needs to work on his kicking. Dislocated his finger in the second.
Jack Darling: C+
Noah Long: C
Jamaine Jones: C
Tom Cole: C
Brady Hough: C
Jack Petruccelle: C-
Jack Williams: C-
Ryan Maric: D
Campbell Chesser: D
Tyler Brockman: N/A
Took a great grab early but was subbed out for Luke Edwards about halfway through the game with concussion.
Luke Edwards: N/A
Came on for Brockman and enjoyed a fair bit of time on the ground but not enough to impact.
