At the halfway point of the AFL home-and-away season, the Western Bulldogs sit in second spot on the ladder with a 9-2 record.

Here’s a look at some of the key stats behind the Bulldogs’ success.

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No team has scored more points than the Bulldogs, while they sit second for points conceded.

The Bulldogs have averaged 99.27 points per game and conceded just 65.9 – and have the best percentage in the competition (150.6%).

Points scored
Western Bulldogs – 1092
Brisbane Lions – 1049
Essendon – 1041
West Coast – 992
Melbourne – 990

Points conceded
Melbourne – 715
Western Bulldogs – 725
Geelong – 726
Port Adelaide – 776
Brisbane Lions – 786

They are one of three teams leading the stat of most quarters won, with 28.

The Bulldogs have started games well, winning 10 of 11 first quarters. Last week, the Dees became the first team to edge the Bulldogs in a first quarter in 2021.

Quarters won
Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Sydney – 28
Geelong Cats, Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions – 27

Only one team has had more of the football than the Bulldogs in the opening 11 rounds.

Jack Macrae is the competition’s leading ball-winner, with Marcus Bontempelli next best in 20^th spot.

Disposals (per game)
Geelong Cats – 398.6
Western Bulldogs – 396.5
Port Adelaide – 389.5
Hawthorn – 382
Essendon – 376.4

The Bulldogs have won more ball at stoppages and gone inside-50 more than any other side.

Tom Liberatore is the number one clearance player in the competition, while Macrae rounds out the top 10.

When it comes to inside-50s, Bontempelli ranks second, with Liberatore (8^th) and Macrae (10^th) again prominent.

Clearances (per game)
Western Bulldogs – 40.6
Geelong Cats – 38.9
Carlton – 38.1
Brisbane Lions – 37.6
GWS Giants – 36.9

Inside 50s (per game)
Western Bulldogs – 57.1
Brisbane Lions – 56.4 
Melbourne – 55.5
Sydney Swans – 54.9
Fremantle – 54.8

The Bulldogs’ ball use has been critical to their success.

Macrae has had the most effective disposals in the competition, with forward-turned defender Bailey Dale in 20^th spot and Bontempelli in 22^nd.

When it comes to effective kicks, Dale jumps to 13^th place.

Bontempelli (fifth), Macrae (13^th) and Dale (15^th) are also among the league leaders for metres gained.

Disposal efficiency
Western Bulldogs – 76.7%
Geelong Cats – 75.1%
West Coast Eagles – 75%
Essendon – 74.8%
North Melbourne – 74.6%

The big guys are competing in the air and hitting the scoreboard for the Bulldogs.

Aaron Naughton is second in the competition for contested marks, behind Melbourne star Max Gawn. Josh Bruce (13^th) is also only nine behind Naughton.

Both are translating those grabs into goals – with Bruce third in the Coleman Medal race and Naughton equal sixth.

Tim English has missed some footy, but if you look at contested marks from an average per game perspective, he sits in equal 10^th spot.

Contested marks
West Coast Eagles – 163
Brisbane Lions – 145
Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Crows – 143
Port Adelaide – 142
Melbourne - 140