SUMMARY
No-one would have predicted during the pre-season that this match could decide the top-four, but that's exactly what's at stake. The Bulldogs are in red-hot form but they have only played one top-eight side since round seven and that was Geelong in round 16. The Eagles have beaten the Sydney Swans and Fremantle and narrowly lost to Hawthorn in the last month. West Coast were sliced open by the Bulldogs' explosive pace in round one, but the Eagles can stretch them for height in the forward half and will dominate the ruck to give the midfielders first use. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, August 23, 2.40pm
AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES 
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 Subiaco Oval
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 Subiaco Oval
R1, 2012, West Coast 21.10 (136) d Western Bulldogs 12.15 (87) at Etihad Stadium 

THE SIX POINTS 
1. The Bulldogs could have won by more in round one with 27-17 scoring shots and 58-40 inside 50s. Matthew Boyd had 33 disposals and Jack Macrae 31. Jamie Cripps kicked five goals for the Eagles. 

2. This will be a battle of two of the highest scoring sides in 2015. The Eagles are ranked second, kicking 103.8 points per game. The Bulldogs are fourth with 94.6 per game.

3. Since round 13 the Bulldogs have won seven of eight games. In the last three weeks they have won by an average margin of 83 points, kicking 136 points per game to their oppositions 53.

4. The Bulldogs recent history in Perth is poor. They have lost their last five matches, including three of the last four by 123, 70 and 65 points.

5. The game could be decided in the ruck. West Coast is ranked second for average hit-outs with 51.4 per game. The Bulldogs have struggled in the ruck, ranked 14th.

6. Nic Naitanui (13th overall) is the third ranked ruckman in the AFL on the Official AFL Player ratings. The Bulldogs highest ranked ruckman is Will Minson in eighth (129th overall), but he hasn't played since round 15.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Tom Campbell
The 23-year-old has averaged 25 hit-outs across five games since coming into the side in round 16. But he has not faced a ruckman of the calibre of Nic Naitanui yet. This will be a big test for him.  

PREDICTION: West Coast by 20 points