Jason Johannisen
After missing the first three rounds of the season with an ankle injury, Jason Johannisen played the remaining 20 games to again be a key player for the Bulldogs.
One of the team’s leaders, Johannisen provided his customary dash and dare off the half back flank.
The 26-year-old was among the team’s top three for effective kicks and metres gained per game, and top six for both inside-50s and rebound 50s.
By the numbers
AFL Games: 23
Goals: 6
Disposals (av): 21.9
Marks (av): 4.2
Tackles (av): 2.2
Rebound 50s (av): 3.7
Best game
Arguably it was in the Bulldogs’ loss to the Eagles in Perth, with Johannisen leading from the front despite a disappointing loss.
He had a season-high 32 disposals and 576 metres gained, had seven score involvements and a disposal efficiency of 90.6 per cent efficiency as the Bulldogs went down by 61 points.
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Caleb Daniel
In his first full season as a defender, Caleb Daniel was perhaps on track for All Australian honours before injury struck.
The 23-year-old missed six matches due to two hamstring injuries, but still enjoyed an outstanding season.
Much like fellow half-back Johannisen, Daniel was a key distributor with the ball. He led the Bulldogs for rebound-50s and effective kicks per game, and was behind just Marcus Bontempelli for metres gained.
He will remain at VU Whitten Oval until 2022 after inking a three-year extension mid-season.
By the numbers
AFL Games: 17
Goals: 1
Disposals (av): 26.5
Marks (av): 3.9
Tackles (av): 3.1
Rebound 50s (av): 5.9
Best game
The dynamic defender was just that in the Bulldogs’ round two come-from-behind win against Hawthorn.
He collected 32 disposals at 87.5 per cent efficiency, to go with seven score involvements, five rebound 50s and 474 metres gained.
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Taylor Duryea
Taylor Duryea fitted in seamlessly in his first season as a Bulldog.
The 28-year-old defender played 14 matches, despite missing a two-month block in the middle of the year with a hip injury.
Duryea’s on-field impact was noticeable – he ranked in the top five for rebound-50s and kicking efficiency – as was his leadership in the Bulldogs’ emerging group.
By the numbers
AFL Games: 14
Goals: 2
Disposals (av): 18.9
Marks (av): 5.9
Tackles (av): 2
Rebound 50s (av): 4.1
Best game
A career-best 31 disposals from Duryea helped the Bulldogs edge past Melbourne by eight points in round 17.
He was massive – both in his defensive and offensive impact – disposing of the ball at 90.3 per cent efficiency and generating 591 metres gained, to go with six inside-50s, six rebound-50s, eight intercepts and five spoils.
