The Western Bulldogs have shown improvement in the past two weeks and will be looking to get reward for effort against West Coast. History is stacked against them though, with the Eagles dominating these contests in recent times. It's set to be an interesting ruck battle, with Will Minson ranked the number one player in the league for hit-outs, while West Coast is the number one ranked team in that category. The punters will back the Eagles for the win, but after pushing Essendon and Hawthorn over the past fortnight, the Bulldogs will throw everything they've got at the visitors.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 28 July, 3.20pm.
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2013, West Coast 21.11 (137) d Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) at Patersons Stadium
R1, 2012, West Coast 21.10 (136) d Western Bulldogs 12.15 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2011, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 15.5 (95) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2011, West Coast 26.19 (175) d Western Bulldogs 8.4 (52) at Patersons Stadium
R13, 2010, Western Bulldogs 17.17 (119) d West Coast 9.5 (59) at Patersons Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the 45th contest between the two sides, with West Coast winning 29 games to the Western Bulldogs' 14. There has been one draw.
2. The Bulldogs have not managed 100 points in a game against the Eagles in each of the past four encounters.
3. Ranked 169 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, Jack Darling starred with five goals against the Bulldogs in the Eagles' round six win earlier this year.
4. West Coast ranked number one for total hit-outs this season, but the Bulldogs have Will Minson, who is the top ranked player for hit-outs.
5. The last time these two sides met in round 18 was back in 2004 at Subiaco, with West Coast winning by 49 points.
6. The Eagles have won five of their last six games against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
