We have 22 new premiership players in the AFL after yesterday, and for the first time in more than six decades, they are sons of the west! Check out our player ratings for the victorious Western Bulldogs.
Shane Biggs: 5
Fairly anonymous as he has been for much of the year, but while he didn’t star his effort couldn’t be faulted and he was a solid contributor. 12 kicks from 15 touches.
Marcus Bontempelli: 8
Significant effort was put into keeping him quiet but he still found some space and good things happened when he had the ball. Six clearances, seven tackles, two goal assists. Remarkable 90 per cent disposal efficiency, given the pressure on him.
Matthew Boyd: 7
A tenacious effort in defence, made the smart decision every time. An underrated career fittingly rewarded.
Tom Boyd: 9
A genuine coming-of-age performance arrived at the best possible time – after failing to kick a goal in his first three finals he booted three and took many crucial marks up the ground. The best big man on ground.
Zaine Cordy: 4
Selfish shot when the Dogs were yet to score was a howler, but he made up for it by kicking their first a few minutes later. Largely unseen after that, but provided some forward pressure.
Luke Dahlhaus: 7
A strong contributor for the Dogs through the middle of the ground, wasn’t a standout player for the day but could be counted on to do the right thing when his moments arrived.
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Caleb Daniel: 4
Blanketed by McVeigh early and had no influence at all in the first half, but worked his way into the game. 11 kicks from 14 disposals.
Tory Dickson: 8
Kicked three goals and they were all crucial, keeping the Dogs’ scoreboard ticking over in the first three quarters when the game was tight.
Josh Dunkley: 5
Not a huge impact, but with 15 touches and seven tackles he earned his spot on the premiership dias. First member of the 2015 draft class to win a flag – against the club his dad played for, no less.
Jason Johannisen: 8
Wasn’t best on ground for mine despite winning the Norm Smith medal with his 25 kicks not always finding the target, but definitely had a big influence especially in the final term.
Joel Hamling: 8
Sure, Buddy was a little hobbled throughout the match but Hamling did an outstanding job on him all the same. Not bad for a bloke who was delisted by the Cats two years ago.
Lachie Hunter: 6
Didn’t quite gather the ball in the numbers that he has at times this season, but that’s often the case for his type of player in a grand final. Two goal assists.
Tom Liberatore: 8
The Dogs’ main man in the middle – eight clearances, eight tackles, 15 contested possessions. Could bump himself up to a perfect 10 if the post-match party at his places goes off.
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Jack Macrae: 8
One of the standouts amongst the Bulldogs’ midfield group, finishing with 33 touches – equal-most alongside Johannisen – and had two goal assists as well.
Toby McLean: 6
Knows how to win a high contact free, that’s for sure. Maybe not a standout but he did pop up in a few big moments.
Dale Morris: 9
A remarkable effort from the veteran – matched up against a range of opponents and handled them all with class. His dive on the ball in the third was the stuff of legend. Oh, and he did it all with a broken back.
Liam Picken: 9
Has had an outrageously good finals series for a bloke who is just a solid citizen most of the time. Second only to Sydney’s Josh P Kennedy in best-on-ground stakes for mine.
Fletcher Roberts: 6
Wasn’t a standout, but he got the job done and justified the decision to keep him in the side rather than bring back Matt Suckling.
Jordan Roughead: 6
Quality effort in the ruck against some solid opponents in Kurt Tippett and Sam Naismith – kept the pair of them from having any significant impact on the match.
Clay Smith: 5
Brought the pressure hard with 10 tackles, and kicked a goal when he got a chance. Not the starring role he played last week but he contributed when it counted.
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Jake Stringer: 3
Had one hand on the ‘Leon Davis medal’ at three-quarter time but his snap in the final term was a thing of beauty and came at a crucial time.
Easton Wood: 8
While his stats wouldn’t blow you away, they don’t tell the full story of his impact. Good things happened whenever he was involved in the play and his leadership was top notch.