Western Bulldogs Set to Dominate AFL Player Ratings with Four Stars in Top Six
In a stunning revelation ahead of the official release, Champion Data's upcoming AFL player ratings will show the Western Bulldogs dominating nearly all top positions. Analyst Daniel Hoyne has leaked preliminary information indicating that as the 2026 season approaches, Luke Beveridge's team will have an unprecedented four players ranked inside the top six of the organization's comprehensive ratings model.
Expected Top Performers Revealed
While Hoyne refused to provide specific names during his initial disclosure, football insiders now anticipate that respected captain Marcus Bontempelli and rising superstar Sam Darcy will occupy the number one and two spots respectively among approximately 800 AFL-listed players. The other two Bulldogs expected to feature within the elite top six are midfielder Ed Richards and dashing defender Bailey Dale.
This quartet maintained top-ten positions in Champion Data's previous ratings, with Bontempelli having claimed the number one ranking in three of the past four seasons. The consistency of these players' performances has created remarkable statistical dominance for the Western Bulldogs organization.
Expert Reaction and Historical Context
AFL expert Kane Cornes expressed little surprise at the ratings revelation, though he emphasized the apparent underachievement of Beveridge's squad given their talent depth. "Imagine having 1, 2, 3, 6 and missing finals. This is unprecedented stuff," Cornes remarked during a discussion on SEN radio. "That is a remarkable situation."
The Bulldogs' recent performance history provides context for Cornes' assessment. The team missed finals action last season, finished seventh in 2024, were absent from finals in 2023, and only narrowly qualified in 2022 following their grand final loss in 2021. This mid-table performance stands in stark contrast to the individual excellence reflected in the Champion Data ratings.
When Cornes questioned Hoyne about the ratings during their radio exchange, the analyst responded cryptically: "I think you might be pretty happy about this, Kane." Cornes, who believes Darcy could develop into one of the competition's most dangerous players, pressed further: "Does he play for the Western Bulldogs?" Hoyne's reply suggested even greater dominance: "One, two and three might play for the Western Bulldogs..."
Recent Form and Historical Tensions
Darcy's potential was on full display last month when he booted eight goals during Western Bulldogs match simulation, prompting Cornes to declare "It's over?" in reference to the competition's ability to contain the emerging star.
The relationship between Cornes and Beveridge has been notably strained over the years, with tensions escalating last season when Beveridge approached Cornes during a game in Geelong. Cornes recounted the incident, describing Beveridge's "strong look" and the coach's apparent displeasure at being acknowledged with a simple "Bevo" and nod.
"The reaction was the reaction that you saw," Cornes explained. "It was something along the lines of, 'You've got the nerve to say that,' and I just said, 'What, I can't say hello?'" Beveridge later dismissed questions about the encounter, stating "If you're trying to drum up any controversy, I don't think there was any."
Despite their public differences, Cornes maintains professional respect for Beveridge's combative approach to protecting his club. The upcoming Champion Data ratings release promises to reignite discussions about the Western Bulldogs' potential versus their recent team results as the 2026 season approaches.
