There were plenty of standout individual performances throughout the season across the Western Bulldogs playing group.
Taking into consideration Charles Sutton Medal voting, Brownlow voting and AFLCA Champion player of the year voting – plus the state of play in the match, the season, and all the important statistics - we’ve narrowed down the list.
Six of the best from 2019 are below.
Aaron Naughton, Round 7 v Richmond
The AstroNaught took flight.
In fact, he tore this game to shreds.
Emerging forward Aaron Naughton was sensational against Richmon under the Saturday night lights, dominating in the air with 14 marks – nine of those contested – and impacting the scoreboard with five goals.
At just 19 years of age, the defender-turned-forward became a match-winner.
The near-perfect performance saw Naughton earn three Brownlow votes, 10 coaches’ votes and a Samsung TV thanks to Channel 7 and Harvey Norman.
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Josh Dunkley, Round 13 v Carlton
A month into his permanent midfield move, and Josh Dunkley got the Bulldogs home against Carlton in a thriller.
Twice the Bulldogs led by more than five goals, and twice the Blues came back.
Tom Liberatore went down with a knee injury, and Dunkley elevated to a new level.
He had 41 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 10 tackles and seven clearances – plus 10 score involvements, five inside-50s and a goal from an offensive perspective.
Dunkley was pipped for the three Brownlow votes by seven-goal Carlton forward Charlie Curnow, but both coaches agreed he was best afield.
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Marcus Bontempelli, Round 15 v Port Adelaide
A season-defining win on the road was aided by an inspirational performance from Marcus Bontempelli.
The Bulldogs’ vice-captain was pivotal against Port Adelaide on a sodden Adelaide Oval – particularly in an electrifying first quarter.
Bontempelli’s 11 contested possessions, six clearances and four inside-50s – in the first quarter, that is – set the scene.
He was best on ground in the eyes of the umpires, and earned nine votes from the coaches as he finished with 27 disposals for the night.
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Josh Dunkley, Round 17 v Melbourne
Dunkley was brilliant against the Blues, but even better against Melbourne.
Again, the midfield bull took the game by the horns to secure a tough, hard-fought win – by just eight points.
With Toby McLean (hamstring) sidelined early, and partner-in-crime Marcus Bontempelli hampered by an ankle injury, Dunkley lifted to deny Max Gawn and his Demons.
He had a career-high 39 disposals, laid 15 tackles and had nine clearances.
Plus two important goals, one of those critical to the result in the final term.
Three Brownlow votes, 10 coaches’ votes.
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Jack Macrae, Round 19 v Fremantle
When you finish the year with 11 consecutive games of 30-or-more disposals, you’re flying.
Trying to find the best of that bunch is tough.
Macrae had plenty of influence in the run home, including in a big win against Fremantle to earn two Brownlow votes and nine coaches’ votes.
The ball magnet helped the Bulldogs keep in touch with the top eight against the Dockers, who were also vying for a spot in September.
Macrae had 38 disposals and greater than 92 per cent efficiency, plus a game-high eight clearances and 13 score involvements.
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Marcus Bontempelli, Round 23 v Adelaide
It was do-or-die, and Marcus Bontempelli delivered – as did the Bulldogs.
A 34-point win against the Adelaide Crows in Ballarat delivered a finals berth for the first time since 2016.
Bontempelli collected 31 disposals and kicked an impressive goal, in a performance which saw him earn two Brownlow votes and eight coaches’ votes.
Ten tackles, nine score involvements, seven clearances and six inside-50s rounded out a near-complete individual performance.
