Opinion
After doing it the hard way, through a wildcard final win over Collingwood at the MCG last week, The Bulldogs were right up against it at Adelaide Oval.
But no one should ever write-off Luke Beveridge’s men and their never-say-die spirit.
The Dogs charged to a one-point lead in the final term. But Adelaide, courtesy of their firepower up forward, responded in style – winning by 22 points in front of more than 51,000 screaming fans.
Jon Pierik runs his eye over every player in this elimination final.
Western Bulldogs
(3) Cody Weightman: The flashy small forward had an early set shot snap from the boundary, but went to ground too often in the first term. While his endeavour could not be questioned, he needed to do better to negate opponent Josh Worrell, who was arguably best afield. 3/10
(4) Marcus Bontempelli: Branded “the best Bulldog ever” by club great Brad Johnson during Kayo Sports’ pre-game coverage, the man dubbed “the Rolls Royce” did all he could to will his team over the line, finishing with 27 touches and 10 clearances. He began quietly with just the five first-term touches, but got moving in the second, finding himself more goal-side. He was sent forward in the third, but injected himself more into the midfield in the final term, delivering run and carry. 7.5/10
(6) Cooper Hynes: The strong-bodied forward-midfielder was prolific early with 15 disposals and 318 metres gained to half-time. He continued to work hard, and was steady when the contest was there to be won. 6.5/10
(7) Rory Lobb: The veteran defender looked lost up forward against Collingwood last week, and was sent to defence on Riley Thilthorpe, where he was excellent until the final break when the burly Crow got busy. That wasn’t just on him though, for the Crows lifted through the midfield. 7/10
(9) Ryley Sanders: The exciting midfielder won’t want to watch this game again. He was another who struggled to get going early, having just the five touches before half-time, and finished with only 10 disposals. Needed to lift after the main break, but had a nightmare moment early in the third term when he dropped the ball, leading to an Izak Rankine goal. 3/10
(14) Rhylee West: Typically a goal-kicking forward, the son-of-a-gun was injected into the midfield in a brilliant move by Luke Beveridge. He was arguably best afield in the first half with 12 touches, including five clearances, but faded as the evening progressed. 6.5/10
(18) James O’Donnell: The reliable defender had the job on Taylor Walker, and was at his intercept-marking best early. But “Big Tex” lifted late, as all great forwards do. 6.5/10
(19) Connor Budarick: The versatile small defender worked hard but did not have a major impact. 5/10
(20) Ed Richards: The dashing midfielder snapped the Dogs’ opening goal, the visitors rewarded for multiple inside-50 entries. He kept an eye on Izak Rankine at stoppages, and had 16 touches and 411 metres gained to half-time. He delivered a moment of inspiration with a brilliant running goal in the final term to knot scores, finishing with 27 disposals. 7.5/10
(24) Buku Khamis: The rebounding defender had the job on Darcy Fogarty, and broke even, before he was sent forward in the final term as the Bulldogs, with only five goals, desperately sought another avenue. Had a chance to cut the Crows’ lead to five points, but his long set shot drifted wide. 6/10
(26) Josh Dolan: The creative midfielder-forward was quiet in the first half. He battled hard, but did not have an impact when the game was there to be won. 5/10
(27) Joel Freijah: He’s spent more time in the midfield over the past month, and pushed forward in the second term to snap a crucial goal. He could have done better with a snap early in the final term, which would have closed the Crows’ lead to a goal. 6.5/10
(28) Will Lewis: Replaced the concussed Matthew Kennedy in the 23 and had the job of keeping Crows defender Mark Keane honest. Delivered a slick pass to Weightman in the second term, but the latter missed the set shot. Exploded in the final term with two goals, which cut the Crows’ lead to a goal. 6.5/10
(29) Lachlan Bramble: The dashing utility and half-back flanker had a quiet evening but worked hard in the contest. 6/10
(30) Lachie McNeil: He was a late inclusion after Michael Sellwood pulled out on the cusp of the opening ball-up when concussed in the warm-up. He only had five touches to the final break and was a non-factor. 3/10
(31) Bailey Dale: The creative defender kicks the ball “hard and fast”, as Brad Johnson put it, but didn’t have as much of the Sherrin as the Bulldogs would have wanted. He was steady under pressure in the final term but couldn’t generate enough run. 6.5/10
(32) Arthur Jones: The exciting forward delivered when needed in the second term with two goals. The first was after a contentious free kick, his celebration not well received by the locals, while another came after a strong lead into space. The Bulldogs needed more from him after the main break. 6/10
(33) Aaron Naughton: The Bulldogs needed their “astronaut” to take flight and build on his stellar performance against the Magpies. He began well, and that continued in the second term with a juggling mark and goal in wet and windy conditions. He hit the post with less than 30 seconds left in the third term, and early in the fourth, diminishing his good work. 6.5/10
(34) Bailey Williams: The rebounding half-back counter-attacked well, having 11 disposals and 248 metres gained before the main break. He was lucky not to let himself down when Darcy Fogarty marked – but missed a set shot – in the third term. 7/10
(35) Luke Kennedy: The speedy midfielder had eight touches, including two clearances, to half-time, but couldn’t lift his side late. 6/10
(42) Sam Davidson: The hard-running wingman would have been disappointed with his unsuccessful snap at goal late in the second term, compounding a poor start with only five touches. Had only 10 touches in the end, but finished with 229 metres gained. 4/10
(43) Ryan Gardner: The former Cat had just the one touch to half-time and three to the final break. 2/10
(44) Tim English: The blue-chip ruckman was a big disappointment, adding to his woes against the Crows this year. He broke even with his opponents to half-time, but needed to be a physical warrior after the break, particularly when sent forward to help Aaron Naughton. He finished with only 10 touches, one mark and 19 hitouts. 3.5/10
Crows ratings to come
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.