The Bulldogs edged out the Sydney Swans by nine points in a shootout at the SCG, bringing home a crucial four points as the ladder begins to take shape.
Read on for a deeper dive into some of the takeaways from our Round 16 clash.
10-Star Fridge Rating
Second-year Bulldog Joel Freijah continues to make a name for himself in the AFL.
Not only did his 23-disposal, four-goal outing against the Swans score perfect marks from the coaches, it also saw the 19-year-old rank equal-first in the AFL player ratings for the round.
AFL Player Ratings, Round 16 2025
Player |
Team |
AFL Rating |
|
Joel Freijah |
Western Bulldogs |
25.9 |
|
Isaac Heeney |
Sydney |
25.9 |
|
Jack Gunston |
Hawthorn |
25.2 |
|
Mabior Chol |
Hawthorn |
24.9 |
|
Kysiaiah Pickett |
Melbourne |
24.9 |
|
Daniel Curtin |
Adelaide |
24.4 |
|
Errol Gulden |
Sydney |
23.7 |
|
Brodie Grundy |
Sydney |
22.8 |
|
Rowan Marshall |
St Kilda |
22.6 |
|
Matt Rowell |
Gold Coast Suns |
22.2 |
Fantastic Fours
Last week's thrilling win over the Swans ensured that skipper Marcus Bontempelli celebrated his 250th milestone in style.
It also marked the 250th time the Bulldogs superstar pulled on the number four guernsey at the highest level, the fifth most by any player in VFL/AFL history.
Most VFL/AFL games wearing the number four guernsey
Games |
Player |
Team/s |
Seasons |
|
281 |
Dustin Martin |
Richmond |
2010-2024 |
|
280 |
Andrew Mackie |
Geelong |
2004-2017 |
|
265 |
Mick Martyn |
Kangaroos, Carlton |
1988-2003 |
|
251 |
Stephen Kernahan |
Carlton |
1986-1997 |
|
250* |
Marcus Bontempelli |
Western Bulldogs |
2014-2025 |
|
239 |
Gavin Wanganeen |
Essendon, Port Adelaide |
1991-2006 |
|
234* |
Toby Greene |
GWS Giants |
2012-2025 |
|
231 |
Bryce Gibbs |
Carlton, Adelaide |
2007-2020 |
|
230 |
Ross Glendinning |
Kangaroos, West Coast |
1978-1988 |
|
227 |
Norm Smith |
Melbourne, Fitzroy |
1935-1950 |
Steering Clear
’Tis the season for celebrations at the Kennel, with vice-captain Tom Liberatore also on the cusp of playing 250 matches at AFL level.
The veteran Dog’s relentless presence in the contest has seen him accrue the ninth most clearances in VFL/AFL history, ranking among some of the league’s elite past and present talent.
Most VFL/AFL Clearances
Player |
Total Clearances |
|
Patrick Dangerfield |
1,868* |
|
Joel Selwood |
1,846 |
|
Lachie Neale |
1,835* |
|
Scott Pendlebury |
1,816* |
|
Josh Kennedy |
1,809 |
|
Sam Mitchell |
1,801 |
|
Simon Black |
1,715 |
|
Patrick Cripps |
1,578* |
|
Tom Liberatore |
1,576* |
|
Travis Boak |
1,563* |
