A slick Western Bulldogs outfit proved too polished for the West Coast Eagles in front of an empty house at Optus Stadium, over-running the hosts with an irresistible final quarter.
Leading by 21 points at the last change, the Bulldogs powered home to win by 55 points – 13.20 (98) to 6.7 (43) over a disappointing Eagles team.
Led by Marcus Bontempelli, who had 29 possessions and three goals – including a final term goal-of-the-year contender – the Bulldogs controlled the game virtually from the outset.
Bontempelli last quarter goal, from deep in the left forward pocket at the eastern end of the ground, was sublime. Running towards the boundary he snapped with his left foot across his body and split the middle.
The game was already done and dusted at that point, but it was a demoralising blow.
In the first half, the Eagles had trouble getting hold of the ball, beaten comprehensively around the contest.
That was especially the case in the opening term when the Bulldogs controlled the game and had the ball almost permanently in their forward half.
Had they been a little more accurate in front of goal – kicking 2.8 to 1.2 for the term – the Eagles could have been out of the game early. Midfield ball magnets Bontempelli and Jack Macrae each had 10 possessions in the first quarter and ensured plenty of supply for their forwards.
Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton enjoyed the steady flow of football and the Eagles struggled to get the ball past the Bulldogs wall.
It was a similar story in the first 15 minutes of the second quarter, but slowly West Coast started to edge their way back into the contest.
Key midfielders like Dom Sheed, Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly and Jack Redden started to win their share of the ball and Josh Kennedy, in his 250th game for the club, was looking dangerous.
The Bulldogs remained wasteful, but a goal a few minutes before the main break saw them lead 4.12 (36) to 2.4 (16). Despite the slippery conditions, the Eagles still felt like they were in the game as they assembled in the rooms.
On balance of play the Eagles had more of the ball in the third term, but pegging back the deficit proved problematic.
The margin at the last change was 21 points despite the fact West Coast was looking more dangerous, the Bulldogs finding a way to respond when threatened.
Nic Naitanui was wielding a strong influence while defenders Shannon Hurn and Liam Duggan were providing strong rebound.
Oscar Allen gave the Eagles a glimmer of hope with two goals in a five minute patch, but that proved to be a false dawn.
Western Bulldogs 2.8 4.12 7.15 13.20 98
West Coast Eagles 1.1 2.4 5.6 6.7 43
Goals – Western Bulldogs: Naughton 4; Bontempelli 3; Naughton 2; McLean, Weightman, Macrae, Garcia. West Coast Eagles: Allen 2; Kennedy, Gaff, Petruccelle, Cripps.
Best – Western Bulldogs: Bontempeli, Macrae, Smith, Daniel,Naughton, Hunter. West Coast Eagles: Hurn, Naitanui, Duggan, Redden, Shuey, Barrass.
At Optus Stadium. Crowd: nil
Injuries: West Coast Eagles: Nil Western Bulldogs: Gardner (shoulder)
