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Ruck struggles as trade whispers ramp up; ‘Naughton or bust’… but star falls short — Dogs Player Ratings All of the Bulldogs’ prime midfielders stood up, while a couple of key defenders can hold their heads high. But, ultimately, too much was left to too few. Foxfooty.com.au rates all 23 Western Bulldogs players out of 10 from their Elimination Final loss to Adelaide. Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. 3. CODY WEIGHTMAN Lost his feet several times in the first quarter and missed a golden opportunity in front of goal in the second. Didn’t have a touch in the third term. 3 4. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI Went head-to-head with Daniel Curtin early and missed a chance to kick the Bulldogs’ first goal. Showed his class with a big second quarter where he had seven disposals, five inside 50s and three clearances. Tried to put his team on his back in the fourth quarter, but not many came with him. 8 6. COOPER HYNES Showed why the Dogs were prepared to invest a first-round pick in him. Impressive opening half, showing great composure and strength at stoppages for the Dogs. Worked hard on the wings too. 7 7. RORY LOBB Got the Riley Thilthorpe match-up and help him goalless to half-time. Somehow didn’t touch the ball on the goalline from a Ben Keays snap attempt, which proved costly. 6 9. RYLEY SANDERS Quietest game of the year, finishing with just 10 disposals and a consolation goal. A poor turnover in the third term, which led to an Izak Rankine goal. 3 14. RHYLEE WEST A prolific nine-disposal, five-clearance first term set the tone for a solid game. 7 18. JAMES O’DONNELL Went to Taylor Walker, who took him to the goalsquare. Impressed with his intercepting and spoiling, constantly helping to neutralise contests. But a miscommunication midway through the fourth term let to a Walker mark and telling goal, which put Adelaide in front by 11 points. 6 19. CONNOR BUDARICK A bad night. Went to Josh Rachele and got exposed. Caught dozing late in the second quarter as Rachele set up a big goal to put Crows up by six points. Then next centre ball-up, Rachele slipped forward and nailed his own goal. Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown declared: “It’s not good enough. It’s Josh Rachele … not a park footballer!” 2 20. ED RICHARDS Another mighty final, constantly driving the Dogs forward out of congestion and in the front half. Kicked the Bulldogs’ first goal. Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson said: “He’s doing it again in a big final! It’s his work around the contest that’s really consistent. He’s a hit-to player now.” Pulled out a stunning finals goal in the fourth, sprinting towards the 50m arc, taking a bounce and nailing a long-range major that drew scores level. 8 24. BUKU KHAMIS Spent time on Darcy Fogarty early, but also manned up on Jordan Dawson when the Crows skipper pushed forward. Was then swung forward by Luke Beveridge for the fourth term to try and negate Josh Worrell’s influence and competed well in the air without impacting the scoreboard. 5 26. JOSH DOLAN Didn’t offer much forward of centre. Just the nine touches and one tackle. 4 27. JOEL FREIJAH Another strong finals performance. Huge second-quarter goal after a front and centre crumb. Showed great offensive-defensive balance, finishing with 24 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine clearances and seven tackles. 8 28. WILL LEWIS A mixed game. Went to curtail Mark Keane’s influence, but the Crow was mightily influential in the backline all night. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said: “It’s as much about halving the contest with Mark Keane. He doesn’t need to take 10 marks – he needs to halve 10 contests and let the smalls get to work.” Had a shocker of a third term then loomed as the match-winner with the first two goals of the fourth term. 5 29. LACHIE BRAMBLE Spent some time on Josh Rachele, but rotated through an array of Crows forwards. Far less influential than what he was against Collingwood last week. 3 30. LACHIE McNEIL Came in as the very late replacement for Michael Sellwood (concussion from warm-up). Just the six touches across half-forward. 3 31. BAILEY DALE Copped a forward tag from Ben Keays, who not only curtailed the All-Australian’s influence but also hit the scoreboard himself. Fluffed a crucial kick going forward on the wing when the Bulldogs needed to score. Just the 17 touches, so well below his usual high standards. 4 32. ARTY JONES Threatened to break the game open in the first half, pulling off two crucial goals, with one prompting him to blow a kiss to the crowd. Outside of that, largely unsighted in a forward line that didn’t function until the final term. 4 33. AARON NAUGHTON As Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon declared in the third term: “It’s Aaron Naughton or bust at the moment.” A lot of responsibility on his shoulders inside the forward arc all night. But missed a couple of crucial set-shots that seemingly deflated the Dogs. Finished with 1.3 from 16 disposals and seven marks. 5 34. BAILEY WILLIAMS A big game in the back-half, finishing with 26 disposals, 12 intercepts and eight rebound 50s. Did look tired and sloppy by foot in the last quarter, but a good game overall. 7 35. LUKE KENNEDY Conceded a 50m penalty after a rush-of-blood kick away in the second quarter, but applied good pressure all night. 5 42. SAM DAVIDSON Applied good pressure in the first half and threatened at times with his run, but not his most prolific game. 4 43. RYAN GARDNER Came onto the field two quarters earlier than the wildcard final! Again just provided relief, both in the ruck and inside 50, when he needed. 2 44. TIM ENGLISH Probably beaten by the Lachlan McAndrew-Riley Thilthorpe combination. Just the two clearances and had a couple of moments he’d like back when he couldn’t impact the contest. Was that his last game as a Dog? Has trade interest from the Giants … 4