A WOUNDED West Coast side were upset by the Western Bulldogs in a thrilling round one match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The lead changed 11 times in the free-wheeling game before the Dogs edged ahead later in the final term to claim a 14.13 (97) to 14.3 (87) win.
Eagles small forward Jamie Cripps bagged five goals in a career-best performance, but it wasn't enough for the visitors.
In his first game as captain, Shannon Hurn (22 disposals) led a reassembled defensive unit superbly, while Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis (28) was his usual composed and prolific self.
In a setback the Eagles' backline could ill afford after reigning club champion Eric Mackenzie went down with a season-ending knee injury during the NAB Challenge, Mitch Brown was carted from the field midway through the first quarter.
Brown's left knee – which was reconstructed in 2008 - buckled in a seemingly innocuous marking contest, which saw the re-jigging of a defence already missing Will Schofield (ankle).
"It's just footy, isn't it?" coach Adam Simpson said. "Unfortunately we lost him early and had to adapt.
"I thought our backs actually had a good crack but there was plenty of supply."
GALLERY: See the game as it happened
In the face of immense pressure, West Coast's defence contained key Dogs forwards Boyd and Redpath to two goals between them.
West Coast's scoreboard efficiency kept them in touch and direct attack through the corridor was their most threatening mode of scoring.
Midfielder Elliot Yeo was thrown back and Hurn moved onto Jack Redpath – 7cm taller and 5kg heavier than the Eagles skipper.
Despite the lack of size down back, West Coast stood up in the face of immense Dogs pressure and contained Boyd and Redpath to two goals between them.
West Coast controlled plenty of possession (203-193) in the opening half, but the Dogs took a four-point lead into the main break.
It should have been more after their domination of clearances (29-12), inside 50s (28-20) and contested possessions (80-65).
The tackling pressure was elite from Beveridge's men, with their first three goals coming from free kicks as they hunted in packs.
West Coast's efficiency on the scoreboard kept them in touch and direct attack through the corridor was their most threatening mode of scoring.
Three times the Eagles took the ball coast-to-coast from a Hurn kick-in for goals to Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy and Nic Naitanui in a clear set play.
When Shuey kicked his second major to start the second term it sparked a run of four unanswered Eagles goals to blow the score out to a game-high 15-point lead.
But the Dogs had more run in their legs late in the match and secured just their second win over the Eagles from the past seven meetings.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.0 7.5 11.6 14.13 (97)
WEST COAST 3.1 7.1 12.2 14.2 (86)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Johannisen 2, Dickson 2, Picken, Honeychurch, Dahlhaus, Wood, Redpath, Bontempelli, T. Boyd
West Coast: Cripps 5, Shuey 2, Kennedy 2, LeCras, Lycett, Lamb, Gaff, Naitanui
BEST
Western Bulldogs: M. Boyd, Macrae, Dahlhaus, Johannisen, Stringer, Bontempelli
West Coast: Hurn, Priddis, Shuey, Cripps, Masten
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
West Coast: Brown (left knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jarrad Grant replaced Jack Redpath at three-quarter-time
West Coast: Tom Lamb replaced Mitch Brown in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ryan, Schmitt, Jeffery
Official crowd: Approx. 22,000 (TBC) at Etihad Stadium
