Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Sunday, March 31, 1:00pm (10:00am WST)

TV: Delayed on 7 in WA (1:00pm WST), live on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met:

West Coast 14.8 (92) defeated Western Bulldogs 12.13 (85) at Marvel Stadium, round 23, 2023.

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2023 season, West Coast recorded their third win in round 23 over a Bulldogs side still pushing to qualify for finals at Marvel Stadium. It was a ferocious performance from the visitors, inspired by Tim Kelly’s brilliance in the midfield, Jamie Cripps’ five goals and some elite leadership from Oscar Allen, Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan. The Eagles trailed by nine points at three-quarter time but came out and kicked the first four goals of the final term to record the epic road win.

What it means for the Eagles:

West Coast are currently winless after two rounds, however, the team has shown some encouraging signs. Despite the results, we have seen some inspired performances from not only the Eagles youngsters like Harley Reid, Brady Hough and Reuben Ginbey, but some more experienced names such as Elliot Yeo, Jayden Hunt, Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan. A win on the road at this point in the season would give the team a boost of confidence and some reward for effort after a strong pre-season period.

The stat:

Three of the last four games between these sides at Marvel Stadium have been decided by seven points, with the Eagles winning twice.

The match-up:

A key matchup to keep an eye out for on Sunday will be between West Coast bull Elliot Yeo and Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, the two talented midfielders set to battle it out around the contest.

It’s a big week for:

The West Coast backline. Jeremy McGovern was crucial in last week’s game against the Giants, finishing with 24 disposals, 444 metres gained, and a team-high 10 intercept possessions. He and the backs will have another tough task this week, trying to keep Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman quiet. Weightman comes into this game on the back of a six-goal haul against Gold Coast and will be looking to pick up from where he left off.  

Big call:

West Coast will record their first win of the season, getting the job done against the Bulldogs on the road.

The Western Bulldogs avenged last year's defeat to West Coast, overcoming the Eagles by 76 points at Marvel Stadium on Easter Sunday.

The Eagles could only muster one goal after quarter-time as the Bulldogs cruised to their second win of the season, 16.10 (106) to 3.12 (30).

Tempers flared late in the game when Eagles youngster Reuben Ginbey collected Jack Macrae with a bump. While Sam Darcy benefited from the 50m penalty and kicked a goal, a scuffle ensued that will attract video scrutiny.

Midfielders Adam Treloar and Tom Liberatore shone as the Dogs killed the game off with six goals to one behind in the second term.

Midfielder Tim Kelly was among the Eagles' best, but epitomised their plight in front of goal when attempting a shot late in the second term.

As he played on to take his long-range effort, he slipped over and lost possession.

Jamie Cripps sprayed four behinds before finally kicking West Coast's third goal in the last term, breaking an 11-goal run for the Bulldogs, but he then missed another shot to finish with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

Treloar had a game-high 35 disposals, including 12 contested possessions, and Liberatore racked up 11 contested possessions before he was subbed out at three-quarter time. Dogs captain Marcus Bontempelli had a low-key match by his lofty standards, he was still influential with eight tackles and three goals.

Eagles star Jeremy McGovern again showed why he is one of the AFL's top defenders, racking up a game-high 11 marks.

The Bulldogs wore black armbands in honour of staunch fan and prominent youth worker Les Twentyman, who died last week.

It was the Eagles' lowest ever score at Marvel Stadium (its previous lowest was 52 points), and their sixth lowest score in their history.

Forward recruit Tyler Brockman entered the concussion protocols during the third quarter and will not be available for the Eagles' Gather Round clash with Sydney on Saturday in Mt Barker.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.4    8.6   11.8   16.10 (106)
WEST COAST                  2.2    2.3    2.7    3.12 (30)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, English 2, Gallagher 2, Weightman 2, Daniel, Darcy, Naughton, Treloar, Ugle-Hagan, Vandermeer, West
West Coast: Cripps, Waterman, Williams

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Treloar, Bontempelli, Williams, Vandermeer, Bramble, Dale
West Coast: Yeo, McGovern, Kelly, Duggan

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
West Coast: Brockman (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Poulter (replaced Tom Liberatore at three-quarter time)
West Coast: Luke Edwards (replaced Tyler Brockman in the third quarter)

Crowd: 22,991 at Marvel Stadium