AFL Grand Final 2016: Every Western Bulldogs player rated
WHICH Bulldogs starred and who flopped on the biggest stage? Sam Landsberger and Gilbert Gardiner assess every Dog’s Grand Final performance. Do you agree?
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EVERY Dog has their day and on Saturday it was this group of Bulldogs who claimed the spoils of a fairytale story that ended with the club’s second ever premiership.
From Jason Johannisen to Marcus Bontempelli to Joel Hamling, the Dogs were outstanding, upstaging their more experienced opponents to claim a historic flag.
Johannisen was a deserving North Smith Medallist, while captain Easton Wood and Liam Picken were among the stars.
But some didn’t have their best day, including Jake Stringer.
ALL THE BULLDOGS PLAYERS RATED
LACHIE HUNTER 7
Played like a stayer. Started slow and made up ground — and is set for the greatest Spring Carnival of his life. Forward pressure fantastic.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI 8
If he didn’t have a few acne spots, you would swear this was a battle-hardened warrior. Watch out, Danger, he is after your crown. Plays like he’s in a fridge, always chilled.
LIAM PICKEN 8.5
It aint Liam, it’s “Mr”. And you can scrub Picken, it is “September”. A last quarter for the ages, and the player of the finals.
JACK MACRAE 7
Put them in the Grand Final with a cool set-shot, so we can forgive his third-quarter blemish. It’s death by a thousand cuts and after 32 disposals he made the Bloods bleed.
ZAINE CORDY 4
Kicked the Dogs’ first Grand Final goal in 55 years. Quiet after that, but his defensive play worked wonders. Brother Ayce and father Brian clapped their hands red.
REPORT: DOGS CLAIM HISTORIC PREMIERSHIP
PLAYER RATINGS: EVERY SWANS PLAYER ASSESSED
BOB MURPHY: BEVERIDGE’S INCREDIBLE GESTURE
DALE MORRIS: ‘I BROKE MY BACK FIVE WEEKS AGO ... WHO CARES’
NORM SMITH: JOHANNISEN DELIVERS ON BIGGEST STAGE
JAKE STRINGER 3
Lost his dog on Friday night and played like a lost Dog for a lot of yesterday. But he’s young, an All-Australian and Bulldog immortal. Package would be rapt with that CV.
TORY DICKSON 6.5
Yips against Hawthorn morphed into tricks against the Swans. Goals in the first three quarters from the deadeye Dick. Tore it up with field kicking, too.
TOM BOYD 9
Pay rise? Early goals huge, contested marking enormous and did it all banged-up after throwing himself at Mummy last week. Whether it was Peter Gordon or Jason McCartney, it was the trade that broke the drought.
CLAY SMITH 5
Helicoptered to Bairnsdale for his best mate’s funeral on Tuesday, and buried 10 Swans with bruising tackles yesterday. After three ACLs showed the Dogs need him.
JORDAN ROUGHEAD 7.5
Had his contested-marking eye in, that’s for sure. Brilliant to see a big Roughead dominating on Grand Final day. From full-forward to fullback to premiership ruckman
LUKE DAHLHAUS 7
Shopped early to avoid the rush, and never strayed far from the checkout. Eight tackles showed he got his hands dirty. Yet another rookie revelation.
TOM LIBERATORE 7
It was as if the Grand Final was played at Etihad Stadium, because Libba spent the whole game inside. Ankle injury should have ended his season, so as brave as they come.
JASON JOHANNISEN 9
Officially the coolest Bulldog on and off the field. Got them going early and could just about challenge Bolt when he gets going. Deserving Norm Smith Medallist.
JOEL HAMLING 8
Had the best ticket in town standing alongside Buddy and stole the show.
MATTHEW BOYD 7
All-Australian Bulldog with a premiership medallion; all that’s left now is a contract for 2017.
SHANE BIGGS 7
Couldn’t get a game in the Harbour City; yesterday blunted damaging Swans small Tom Papley.
DALE MORRIS 8
Old Dog taught Pups new tricks in hardness and courage. Enormous third term.
EASTON WOOD 8
Tough gig stepping in for Bob under the circumstances, but just like his football - did it with class, courage with the flight and selflessness.
CALEB DANIEL 4
Unfortunately for Caleb the helmet sticks out like Sid’s you know what’s when you’re having a quiet game. McVeigh all over him.
TOBY McLEAN 5
Ducked and weaved and dobbed them. Never gave in. His old man Ian would be rapt up there.
FLETCHER ROBERTS 6
Big Kurt Tippett might have the nice pad in Bondi, but Roberts left the MCG with premiership medallion bling.
JOSH DUNKLEY 4
17 games into an AFL career and already got one up on his old man, Sydney great Andrew. Swans passed - their loss.
Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2016: Every Western Bulldogs player rated
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