Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, June 27, 1.20pm
TV: Live on 7, Fox Footy and Kayo
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) def. West Coast 14.9 (93), round two, 2021 at Marvel Stadium
It was the Eagles’ first match in Melbourne for 563 days and the clash was certainly memorable despite the heartbreaking loss. Leading an arm-wrestle by 14 points during the final term, West Coast was reeled in by the handball-happy Dogs, whose superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli delivered the crushing blow again by slotting his third goal with 30 seconds remaining to ice the game. Nic Naitanui (11 clearances), Josh Kennedy (four goals) and Shannon Hurn (25 disposals) were outstanding in an early contender for game of the season.
Form: (most recent first)
West Coast WWLLW
Western Bulldogs LWLWW
What it means for the Eagles: The cavalry has arrived for West Coast after an injury-marred season to date, with stars Luke Shuey, Jeremy McGovern, Tim Kelly and Brad Sheppard returning to fitness and giving match committee significant selection headaches. The Eagles’ team looks strong on paper but balancing resuming players is never straightforward and the second-placed Bulldogs represent a monumental challenge to overcome. If the Richmond victory was vital, then this clash is every bit as crucial to West Coast’s hopes of building some momentum on the run home.
The stat: Sunday’s match promises to go down to the wire but the previous two meetings between the sides at Optus Stadium resulted in convincing 61 and 54-point Eagles victories in rounds 11, 2019 and round 18, 2018, respectively.
The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Marcus Bontempelli
The possible Yeo battle with Dustin Martin didn’t eventuate against Richmond, with Jackson Nelson following the Tigers dynamo around Optus Stadium and keeping him from breaking the game open, but now the midfield is back to full strength Adam Simpson could ask Yeo to keep a close eye on Bontempelli. The Dogs skipper will loom large in the West Coast coach’s thoughts after he was the match-winner with 21 disposals and a goal last year in shortened game time and 30 touches plus three majors in round two.
It’s a big week for: Josh Kennedy
After his unforgettable heroics against Richmond in game 249 in blue and gold, the champion forward will become the ninth Eagle to chalk up 250 appearances this Sunday. Kennedy will equal Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley, and should soon move past another all-time West Coast great Peter Matera (253).
Big call: Nic Naitanui to equal or better his career-high 11 clearances from round two in what looms as a wet weather bout.
