https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-...ce-specialists

Western Bulldogs
Men in the middle: Tim English (151 attendances), Marcus Bontempelli (119), Tom Liberatore (112), Jack Macrae (111), Mitch Wallis (80), Josh Dunkley (58), Bailey Smith (30), Josh Schache (18), Billy Gowers (10), Bailey Williams (8), Jackson Trengove (3), Zaine Cordy (3), Toby McLean (2), Lachie Hunter (2), Aaron Naughton (1)

Go-to guys: English has been backed by coach Luke Beveridge as the first-choice ruckman all season. Liberatore provides the grunt contested work, Macrae is top five in the competition for disposals and superstar Bontempelli is the enviable combination of brute and polish. The midfield trio are all in the top 15 players for contested possessions this season. Wallis is an able deputy and Dunkley has been deployed as a back-up ruckman at times

Most successful starting four: English, Liberatore, Macrae, Bontempelli Clearance record: 17 wins, 12 losses

Ruck and roll: English / Bontempelli with eight successful takeaways. The No.1 ruck tapping to the Bulldogs' best player is predictable. Interestingly, last season's rover in this category was Toby McLean, who has attended centre bounces just twice in 2019.

Average centre clearance differential: 10 Ranked: 5th

Average points from centre bounces differential: 10.3 Ranked: 8th

Analysis: The return of Liberatore from an ACL injury has made a significant difference to the midfield dynamic. Only Carlton beast Patrick Cripps has had more centre clearances than Bontempelli, and Liberatore is not far behind in equal 10th to emphasise why the Dogs have consistently used the same quartet. Melbourne aside, no team has used its top four more regularly. - Paul Bastin