Marcus Bontempelli set the tone for his side with an epic first term.
But he didn’t have many mates as the Western Bulldogs flopped after quarter-time in a disappointing end to their 2022 campaign.
We rate all 23 Western Bulldogs players for their performances against Fremantle in the First Elimination Final.
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1. Adam Treloar
Started strong with eight touches in the first quarter and finished with 26 for the game. Won most of his touches backwards of centre though. 6
2. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Couldn’t get into the game. Scoreless from seven disposals. 3
4. Marcus Bontempelli
Couldn’t have done much more for his side early. Led from the front and got on the scoreboard early with two first-quarter goals to go with seven disposals, four marks and four score involvements. Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson told Fox Footy: “We know when the Bulldogs play their best football, his forward of centre work is first-class. He’s clean in and around the contest and he’s setting them up out of the back-half.” Finished with 30 touches for the game and went at 72 per cent by foot. 8
5. Josh Dunkley
Applied relentless pressure all night, with 16 disposals, eight tackles and a goal in the first half. Finished with 14 tackles for the night, along with 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions and seven clearances. 7
6. Bailey Smith
Burst out of the blocks with nine disposals in the first term. But had little impact in the final three quarters. 6
7. Lachie Hunter
The left-footer continued to work the wing hard in the second half, although was a touch inefficient by foot. 6
10. Sam Darcy
Alex Keath’s return meant Darcy was sent forward. Started strong with an early goal but rarely sighted after quarter-time. 4
11. Jack Macrae
Typical Macrae game, racking up the footy in a genuine four-quarter performance. Had 34 touches and 10 inside 50s. 7
12. Zaine Cordy
Had the job on Dockers young gun Jye Amiss, who had some crucial moments as the game progressed. Ten touched and five tackles for Cordy. 5
16. Toby McLean
Welcome back! His first full game since Round 16 last year — and you wouldn’t have known judging by his start to the game with nine disposals in the first term. Finished with 21 touches and nine tackles for the night. 6
19. Cody Weightman
Couldn’t replicate his elimination final heroics from 12 months earlier. Kicked a goal in the first quarter but, overall, was well held by Brandon Walker. Didn’t lay a tackle for the entire night. 3
20. Ed Richards
Horrible error late in the game, run down while trying to switch the ball and gifting Michael Walters a goal. Finished with 13 touches and went at 57 per cent by foot. 3
23. Laitham Vandermeer
Not his best night. Just the 11 touches and didn’t hit a target by foot. 3
27. Robbie McComb
Subbed into the game for the final few minutes. N/A
31. Bailey Dale
Used the ball well across half-back, but just couldn’t get his running game going. Won most of his disposals off intercept, but low metres gained. 5
33. Aaron Naughton
Well beaten by Alex Pearce. Finished goalless from 11 disposals. 4
34. Bailey Williams
Rotated through Fremantle’s half-forwards. Just the 13 touches, but went at 88 per cent by foot. 5
35. Caleb Daniel
Big first half as the Dogs looked to free him up and use his damaging right boot. Finished with 29 touches and went at 70 per cent by foot. 6
37. Roarke Smith
Took a towering mark deep in the last quarter and converted his set-shot to keep the Bulldogs in the game at that moment. Had 13 touches and 10 contested possessions. 5
39. Jason Johannisen
Started forward and provided an early goal in the first term, before conjuring another against the grain at the start of the third term. Subbed out of the game late in the final quarter. 5
42. Alex Keath
One of his better games offensively in months but still looked vulnerable at times in defence. Played primarily on Griffin Logue. Had 17 touches and a game-high nine intercepts. 5
43. Ryan Gardner
Had the job on Rory Lobb, who got off the leash in the second half. Gardner had 12 touches and seven marks for the game. 5
44. Tim English
Over half of his 20 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage, but went at 20 per cent by foot and, overall, was well beaten by the Darcy-Lobb combination. 5
