The Bulldogs, who led by 11 goals at the final change, were clinical in posting their fifth win of the season - 20.14 (134) to 11.8 (74).
A heated first half concluded with the Bulldogs 21 points in front, before they re-emerged to slam on eight goals to one in a third quarter that saw Jason Akermanis and Daniel Giansiracusa kick two each and Robert Murphy add his fourth for the game.
Halfway through the third quarter, 16 West Coast Eagles players were yet to register a tackle and it was evident as the Bulldogs ran the visitors off their feet.
Murphy, who finished the game with 24 possessions and 13 marks, was the most damaging player to that stage while midfield trio Adam Cooney (27 possessions), Daniel Cross (32) and Matthew Boyd (25) worked themselves right into the game and won a lot of the ball.
Brian Lake (26 possessions) was reliable as the anchor in defence and recruit Ben Hudson often found answers for tireless opponent Dean Cox in the ruck.
Another former Crow, Scott Welsh, played his part in attack and finished with two goals alongside Mitch Hahn.
However, West Coast -- led by Daniel Kerr (22 possessions) and Andrew Embley (24 possessions) in their 150th matches -- showed some fighting spirit despite the onslaught at various stages. They kept at their game and were rewarded by young forwards Chad Jones (three goals), Ben McKinley (two) and Josh Kennedy (one).
Big man Quinten Lynch also presented strongly all night and kicked beautifully over distance for his two goals.
David Wirrpanda, who converted West Coast's first goal of the game after 45 seconds, was soon sent into defence for most of the contest and did everything he could from 27 disposals to send his side into attack.
West Coast suffered blows on a number of fronts, with half-back Shannon Hurn forced from the ground in the game's early stages with a calf injury and not return.
Key position player Adam Hunter, often so important in these contests, also headed into the rooms deep in the third quarter and appeared very proppy on his left knee.
Plus Brent Staker, who suffered one of football's most famous punches two weeks ago, was reported in the first term for striking Murphy.
A melee almost broke out midway through the term, after West Coast used some muscle on and off the ball to send a couple of Bulldogs reeling.
Akermanis was often the target, while Kerr wore a lot of the Bulldogs' frustration.
Brett Jones did well on Brad Johnson, but beyond their captain the Bulldogs had too many damaging players who were given too many opportunities.
Every Bulldog clocked double figures in possessions.
They did little more than protect their lead in a mundane final term, assured that their work was done for the night and season 2008 was well set up, with last week's draw with Richmond the only blemish.
When Lindsay Gilbee kicked the Bulldogs' 20th goal of the game in the 24th minute of the final term, the home side had a mountain of reasons to celebrate.
West Coast Eagles assistant coach Peter Sumich declared on Triple M before the game that it had the importance of a final, and that if the result didn't go their way the club would start planning for 2009.
Both sides lined up as named and would have enjoyed the cover of the Dome on a wet night in Melbourne.
Western Bulldogs 7.3 11.6 19.10 20.14 (134)
West Coast Eagles 4.1 8.3 9.4 11.8 (74)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Akermanis 4, Murphy 4, Hahn 2, Cooney 2, Welsh 2, Giansiracusa 2, Eagleton, Wight, Addison, Gilbee
West Coast: C. Jones 3, McKinley 2, Lynch 2, Wirrpanda, Kerr, Braun, Kennedy
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Murphy, Lake, Cooney, Boyd, Cross, Akermanis, Hudson
West Coast: Wirrpanda, Kerr, Cox, Hunter, Embley, C. Jones
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: None
West Coast: Hurn (corked calf), Hunter (knee)
Reports: Staker (West Coast) reported for striking Murphy (Western Bulldogs) in the first quarter
Umpires: James, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 29,927 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
