Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Sunday, August 20, 1.10pm (11.10am AWST)

TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 9.6 (60) def. by Western Bulldogs 25.11 (161) at Optus Stadium, round 11, 2022

The manic Bulldogs pressure overwhelmed West Coast at home and a 15-goal to four second half blew out the margin beyond triple figures on a disappointing evening. Tim Kelly was tireless with 38 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal, while Jack Darling booted four majors, but there were few standout performers in blue and gold as the Dogs’ engine room dominated.

What it means for the Eagles: The chance to restore some pride after a dismal effort in the RAC Derby. West Coast had shown some competitive effort in the previous weeks, including a gutsy one-point loss to Essendon last trip to Marvel Stadium, but took a step backwards in a club record defeat against the Dockers.

The stat: Oscar Allen needs to kick four more goals to hit the 50-major milestone for the first time in a season.

The match-up: Tim Kelly v Marcus Bontempelli

The Western Bulldogs’ captain is favourite to claim the Brownlow Medal and looms as a massive dangerman on Sunday. The brilliant left-footer was quiet by his lofty standards in the loss to Hawthorn last round, finishing with 23 touches, but racked up 32 disposals and snared three majors the previous week in a win over Richmond. Finding a match-up for big-bodied Bontempelli isn’t easy, unless noted two-way runner Elliot Yeo has the tank to play through midfield for longer stints. Eagles star Tim Kelly could go head-to-head with Bontempelli but even if he doesn’t the smooth-moving onballer will need to inspire the engine room against one of the competition’s best cohorts.

It’s a big week for: Elijah Hewett

The young gun was deservedly recognised with a Rising Star nomination on Monday and followed that up with the welcome news of a contract extension on Friday. The explosive 19-year-old’s form has been eye-catching and Hewett will be hoping for a big finish to the season after averaging 18 disposals and seven contested possessions across the past three rounds.

Big call: Jeremy McGovern to hold Aaron Naughton goalless for the second successive week, after the Dogs spearhead had kicked goals in his previous 20 matches this year.

The West Coast Eagles have claimed a stirring upset win and climbed off the bottom of the AFL ladder with a heart-stopping seven-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Inspired by Tim Kelly's brilliance in midfield, Elliot Yeo's ferocity, Jamie Cripps' five-goal bag and huge performances from leaders Oscar Allen, Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan, the Eagles responded to an RAC Derby shocker with an epic road win.

With their season on the line, the Bulldogs were ambushed by a team that had won just four of its previous 47 games.

Trailing by nine points at three-quarter time, West Coast finished stronger than its opposition with the first four goals of the last term to score a famous 14.8 (92) to 12.13 (85) triumph.

The result drags the Eagles off the bottom of the ladder for the first time since May 21, meaning they will avoid claiming the club's second wooden spoon if North Melbourne doesn't beat Gold Coast next week.

Brownlow Medal favourite Marcus Bontempelli (32 disposals, one goal) typically led from the front for the Dogs, while Adam Treloar (32 and one) and Rory Lobb (three goals) were important.

But outside of that trio, the Bulldogs lacked the spark that Eagles guns Kelly (32 disposals, eight clearances), Jamie Cripps (five goals, including three in the last quarter) and Allen (three goals) had in spades.

Duggan finished with 25 hard-fought disposals, while McGovern took nine marks and was a colossus in defence. 

McGovern looked to be in serious trouble with an arm and foot injury in the second quarter but returned to play out a crucial role in the victory.

The only downside was a hamstring injury suffered by Eagles premiership hero Yeo that will likely rule him out of the last round.

West Coast will end a challenging season next week at home against Adelaide, hoping retiring skipper Luke Shuey (hamstring) and champion Shannon Hurn (Achilles) will be fit to farewell the fans in their last games of illustrious careers.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          3.2     5.7     10.10     12.13 (85)
WEST COAST                         5.3     7.6        9.7       14.8 (92)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Lobb 3, West, Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, Scott, Naughton, English, Bontempelli, Baker
West Coast: Cripps 5, Allen 3, Darling 2, Yeo, Trew, Maric, Hunt

 BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Treloar, English, Lobb, Richards, Jones
West Coast: Kelly, Cripps, Duggan, Allen, McGovern, Gaff

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
West Coast: Yeo (hamstring), McGovern (foot)