SUMMARY
Ending a 23-year MCG drought against Collingwood came at a massive cost for West Coast, with talismanic ruckman Nic Naitanui expected to be ruled out for at least 12 months due to a ruptured ACL. It was a major blow for the Eagles' flag hopes but, after leapfrogging the Pies into second spot on the ladder, they need to quickly refocus and get the job done against the Bulldogs, whose form has improved since West Coast rolled them by 51 points in round two. Luke Beveridge's men have been thumped in the past two games by Melbourne and Hawthorn, but shocked Geelong and pushed North Melbourne all the way the previous fortnight. Taking it up to the Eagles will still be a challenge for the visitors, especially without star Marcus Bontempelli (appendix), and they will need to contain West Coast's twin towers Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling to notch only a second win from the past 12 trips west.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, July 22, 1.20pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2018, West Coast 18.13 (121) d Western Bulldogs 9.16 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2017, West Coast 12.15 (87) d Western Bulldogs 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2017, West Coast 9.15 (69) d Western Bulldogs 8.13 (61) at Subiaco Oval
2EF, 2016, Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99) d West Coast 7.10 (52) at Subiaco Oval
R11, 2016, Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83) d West Coast 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Jack Darling took 11 marks and booted four goals in the Eagles’ win in round two. West Coast dominated hit-outs 54-13 but clearances went the Bulldogs' way 33-32.
2. The Eagles' firepower will worry the Dogs now that Josh Kennedy, Darling and Mark LeCras have returned. West Coast is ranked third for scoring, averaging 92 points, while the visitors are ranked 16th with only 71 points per game.
3. The Bulldogs have struggled recently in second halves. Since round 11 they are -201 points after the main break. Third quarters have been especially tough this season, with the Dogs down by 224 points across 16 games.
4. West Coast has won seven of nine games so far at Optus Stadium while the Bulldogs have struggled in Perth recently losing 10 of their past 11, with that one victory coming in a memorable 2016 elimination final upset.
5. The Dogs will need to find a way around Eagles intercept defender Jeremy McGovern, who took 12 marks and had 14 intercepts against Collingwood. He also leads the League for contested marks (40).
6. Scott Lycett is the 20th-ranked ruckman in the Schick AFL Player Ratings but should climb up the board quickly when he takes hold of the No.1 role in Nic Naitanui's absence.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Scott Lycett. He has been ready to lead the ruck and now Lycett can show West Coast he is capable of being the main man, with the chance to bump up the price of his next contract.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 27 points
