Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, June 27, 1.20pm

TV: Live on 7, Fox Footy and Kayo

Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) def. West Coast 14.9 (93), round two, 2021 at Marvel Stadium

It was the Eagles’ first match in Melbourne for 563 days and the clash was certainly memorable despite the heartbreaking loss. Leading an arm-wrestle by 14 points during the final term, West Coast was reeled in by the handball-happy Dogs, whose superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli delivered the crushing blow again by slotting his third goal with 30 seconds remaining to ice the game. Nic Naitanui (11 clearances), Josh Kennedy (four goals) and Shannon Hurn (25 disposals) were outstanding in an early contender for game of the season.

Form: (most recent first)

West Coast WWLLW

Western Bulldogs LWLWW

What it means for the Eagles: The cavalry has arrived for West Coast after an injury-marred season to date, with stars Luke Shuey, Jeremy McGovern, Tim Kelly and Brad Sheppard returning to fitness and giving match committee significant selection headaches. The Eagles’ team looks strong on paper but balancing resuming players is never straightforward and the second-placed Bulldogs represent a monumental challenge to overcome. If the Richmond victory was vital, then this clash is every bit as crucial to West Coast’s hopes of building some momentum on the run home.

The stat: Sunday’s match promises to go down to the wire but the previous two meetings between the sides at Optus Stadium resulted in convincing 61 and 54-point Eagles victories in rounds 11, 2019 and round 18, 2018, respectively.

The match-up: Elliot Yeo v Marcus Bontempelli

The possible Yeo battle with Dustin Martin didn’t eventuate against Richmond, with Jackson Nelson following the Tigers dynamo around Optus Stadium and keeping him from breaking the game open, but now the midfield is back to full strength Adam Simpson could ask Yeo to keep a close eye on Bontempelli. The Dogs skipper will loom large in the West Coast coach’s thoughts after he was the match-winner with 21 disposals and a goal last year in shortened game time and 30 touches plus three majors in round two.

It’s a big week for: Josh Kennedy

After his unforgettable heroics against Richmond in game 249 in blue and gold, the champion forward will become the ninth Eagle to chalk up 250 appearances this Sunday. Kennedy will equal Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley, and should soon move past another all-time West Coast great Peter Matera (253).

Big call: Nic Naitanui to equal or better his career-high 11 clearances from round two in what looms as a wet weather bout.

A slick Western Bulldogs outfit proved too polished for the West Coast Eagles in front of an empty house at Optus Stadium, over-running the hosts with an irresistible final quarter.

Leading by 21 points at the last change, the Bulldogs powered home to win by 55 points – 13.20 (98) to 6.7 (43) over a disappointing Eagles team.

Led by Marcus Bontempelli, who had 29 possessions and three goals – including a final term goal-of-the-year contender – the Bulldogs controlled the game virtually from the outset.

Bontempelli last quarter goal, from deep in the left forward pocket at the eastern end of the ground, was sublime. Running towards the boundary he snapped with his left foot across his body and split the middle.

The game was already done and dusted at that point, but it was a demoralising blow.

In the first half, the Eagles had trouble getting hold of the ball, beaten comprehensively around the contest.

That was especially the case in the opening term when the Bulldogs controlled the game and had the ball almost permanently in their forward half.

Had they been a little more accurate in front of goal – kicking 2.8 to 1.2 for the term – the Eagles could have been out of the game early. Midfield ball magnets Bontempelli and Jack Macrae each had 10 possessions in the first quarter and ensured plenty of supply for their forwards.

Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton enjoyed the steady flow of football and the Eagles struggled to get the ball past the Bulldogs wall.

It was a similar story in the first 15 minutes of the second quarter, but slowly West Coast started to edge their way back into the contest.

Key midfielders like Dom Sheed, Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly and Jack Redden started to win their share of the ball and Josh Kennedy, in his 250^th game for the club, was looking dangerous.

The Bulldogs remained wasteful, but a goal a few minutes before the main break saw them lead 4.12 (36) to 2.4 (16). Despite the slippery conditions, the Eagles still felt like they were in the game as they assembled in the rooms.

On balance of play the Eagles had more of the ball in the third term, but pegging back the deficit proved problematic.

The margin at the last change was 21 points despite the fact West Coast was looking more dangerous, the Bulldogs finding a way to respond when threatened.

Nic Naitanui was wielding a strong influence while defenders Shannon Hurn and Liam Duggan were providing strong rebound.

Oscar Allen gave the Eagles a glimmer of hope with two goals in a five minute patch, but that proved to be a false dawn.

Western Bulldogs             2.8          4.12        7.15        13.20     98
West Coast Eagles            1.1          2.4          5.6          6.7         43
Goals – Western Bulldogs: Naughton 4; Bontempelli 3; Naughton 2; McLean, Weightman, Macrae, Garcia. West Coast Eagles: Allen 2; Kennedy, Gaff, Petruccelle, Cripps.
Best – Western Bulldogs: Bontempeli, Macrae, Smith, Daniel,Naughton, Hunter. West Coast Eagles: Hurn, Naitanui, Duggan, Redden, Shuey, Barrass.
At Optus Stadium.           Crowd: nil
Injuries: West Coast Eagles: Nil                   Western Bulldogs: Gardner (shoulder)