AFL Rankings: Round 12 2024

The Western Bulldogs are considered by many to be one of the most ‘talented’ teams in the AFL. That perception might be partly due to having arguably the league’s best player Marcus Bontempelli, partly due to having a strong midfield, and partly due to having multiple young, tall talented forwards – more so than they actually have a ‘stacked’ playing list.

Nevertheless, when the Dogs lost to Hawthorn and were three wins from eight matches, commentators were starting to frame the coaching obituary of Luke Beveridge. There were perceptions that Beveridge had lost the playing group, and potentially ‘lost the plot’, with unusual moves such as subbing or dropping former All-Australians Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel, and Bailey Dale, as well as highly touted rookie Ryley Sanders.

Since then, the Bulldogs have won three out of four matches, losing only to top-placed Sydney in a match where they had six more scoring shots. The Dogs may currently sit outside of the top eight on the AFL ladder, but they have been fairly strong overall, with basically the league’s second best percentage (with Fremantle) behind the Swans. Some inaccuracy in front of goal possibly cost them a couple of wins, losing both to Sydney and Essendon despite having more scoring shots.

The Bulldogs are also performing well in some key areas, which suggest they might be able to sustain their high points differential. They are currently first for disposal differential, second for inside 50 differential, second for clearance differential, and sixth for contested possession differential. To be sure, big wins against Richmond and West Coast helped boost their percentage and other differentials, but the Dogs’ overall profile is still that of a team placed higher than they currently are.

A major reason for this is again of course Marcus Bontempelli, who is performing just as well if not better than last year. The Bont is currently the league’s highest-rated player this season who has played more than two games (according to AFL Player Ratings), once again ranking high in contested possessions, inside 50s, and score involvements. Injuries to his main ‘offsider’ Tom Liberatore have hurt, but his production has been ably filled by Adam Treloar, who is getting about as many possessions and more inside 50s than he ever has.

A long-term injury to Aaron Naughton, who had been the league’s highest-rated key forward, may decrease their ability to kick goals over the next several weeks, not helped by a two-match suspension to their next best forward Sam Darcy. Win the next two at home against Brisbane and Fremantle though, and the Bulldogs might find themselves in a decent position going into the home stretch.