To me, the Western Bulldogs are the most enigmatic team in the competition and this all stems from their coach, Luke Beveridge. Only three of the coaches in 2025 will have won more than one premiership. Of the four others who have won only one, Beveridge has coached the greatest number of games in his decade at the helm.
Famously, he won the premiership in 2016 after finishing the home-and-away season in seventh place, and in 2022 played off in the grand final. But my concern is the five key players who were amongst the highest disposals getters in both those years either finished or will finish their careers at other clubs. This revolving door of players who have jumped or were pushed suggests a less than perfect environment to launch a new charge at a flag despite the depth of talent available.
Top 100 players lost: 2
The loss of Bailey Smith to Geelong had been on the cards all season However, he had not made it into the top 100 game players at the Bulldogs. Jack Macrae (No.13) was the most experienced current player at the club and leaves one game short of the 250-game milestone. Caleb Daniel (No.32) is one of the shortest men to play AFL football and is renowned for his accurate short-distance disposal.
Top 100 game players recruited from other clubs: 0
Matthew Kennedy, although he gave Carlton great service, did not make it into the top 100 greatest game players to represent the Blues.
Top 100 game players currently on list: 8
The Bulldogs have a good sprinkling of top 100 game players currently on their list, including the now greatest game player, Marcus Bontempelli (No.14) who is on the way to being one of the greatest Bulldogs of all time. Sitting just behind him, Tom Libratore (No.16), no doubt would be keen to join his dad, Tony, in the Bulldogs’ all-time top 10. There are another six players further down the top 100 list.
Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Potential new top 100 game players in 2025: 1
It would be a remarkable effort if Liam Jones could play the 15 games required to reach the bar for entry into the Western Bulldogs’ top 100 game players list.
Players no longer eligible for top 100 status: 1
Leo Ryan’s career ended after he suffered a serious contact injury against Melbourne in Round 17 of the 1941 VFL season. Originally recruited from Fish Creek in 1934, Ryan was considered one of the best back pockets in the league.
Top 100 goalkickers lost: 0
None of the players who departed had made it into the club’s all-time top 100 goalkickers.
Top 100 goalkickers recruited from other clubs: 0
Top 100 goalkickers currently on list: 9
Led by their two top 20 players, Marcus Bontempelli (No.15) and Aaron Naughton (eq No.17) the Bulldogs have another seven players on their top 100 goalkickers list.
Potential new top 100 goalkickers in 2025: 4
If the club and the individuals have a good year, I could envisage all of Toby McLean, Adam Treloar, Rhylee West and Sam Darcy making the top 100 goalkickers list.
Goalkickers no longer eligible for top 100 status: 0
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