SUMMARY
Sitting fifth and sixth respectively, West Coast and the Bulldogs both have questions marks hanging over heads going into one of the matches of the round. The Dogs looked far from their best in the win over Collingwood, with poor ball use and decision-making nearly costing them the game. The Eagles on the other hand will be out to end a three-match losing streak in Melbourne, and dispel the theory they can't play their best footy away from home. While Luke Beveridge's men will be happy to be back at their fortress Etihad Stadium after a three-week break, the deadly fast track won't help stop Josh Kennedy. The star forward has destroyed the Bulldogs will regularity in the past, kicking 42 goals against them in just nine outings. But with Dogs now boasting the AFL's stingiest defence, they should prove too strong on their home deck.
Jake Stringer tends to run hot and cold, and may be due for one of his days out. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, May 7, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2015, West Coast 25.12 (162) d Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) at Domain Stadium
R1, 2015, Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) d West Coast 14.3 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2014, West Coast 21.8 (134) d Western Bulldogs 11.3 (69) at Domain Stadium
R18, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) d West Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2013, West Coast 21.11 (137) d Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The last time these teams played it was a tale of two halves. West Coast led by only 16 points at half-time, but kicked 14 second-half goals to four, including nine in the final quarter. Josh Kennedy was the star with 21 disposals, 14 marks and seven goals.
2. The umpires might be busy during this game. West Coast is the top ranked team for free kicks with 22.8 per match, just ahead of second placed Western Bulldogs with 22.1 free kicks per game.
3. The teams meet for the 49th time and the Eagles hold the advantage with 31 wins to 16 and one draw. Since 2011 it's six wins to two in the Eagles' favour.
4. The Bulldogs continue to be the number one disposal side in 2016, averaging 437.4 per game, with Lachie Hunter ranked third in the AFL with a total of 310.
5. There have been eight clashes at Etihad Stadium, with five wins to three in West Coast's favour. This is the Eagles' first and only Etihad game in 2016.
6. Both sides have a representative in Schick AFL Player Ratings' top 10, with Nic Naitanui sitting in sixth spot. Bulldog young gun Marcus Bomtempelli is breathing down the Eagles' ruckman's neck in seventh position after a impressive start to 2016.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jake Stringer. While still only 22, the dynamic forward does have a habit of being really on or really off. Against the Magpies last week, Stringer barely got near the footy,and it was the thirdtime he's gone goalless this season. With 15 of his 21 goals coming at Etihad Stadium this season, the odds favour another bag.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 28 points
