ADAM Simpson will coach his first game for West Coast against a Western Bulldogs side that is expected to rise further in 2014 under Brendan McCartney. West Coast finished 13th in 2013 but on exposed pre-season form, the Eagles could bounce back in a big way under their new coach. It will be a big task for the Bulldogs on Sunday, but their young energetic midfield should enjoy the space and will match the Eagles in the clearance battles. The toughest task for the Bulldogs will be handling the scoring power of the Eagles. There will be a fascinating match-up in the ruck with last year's All Australian Will Minson battling six-time All Australian Dean Cox, and potentially the 2012 All Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui. 

 

WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Sunday March 23, 4.40pm 

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 Patersons Stadium

R1, 2012, West Coast 21.10 (136) d Western Bulldogs 12.15 (87) at Etihad Stadium

R19, 2011, West Coast 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 15.5 (95) at Etihad Stadium

R9, 2011, West Coast 26.19 (175) d Western Bulldogs 8.4 (52) at Patersons Stadium

1. Despite the most recent result, the Eagles have dominated the Bulldogs in the past three seasons, winning four of their last five encounters. 

2. West Coast averaged 42 clearances per game in 2013; only the Sydney Swans averaged more. But the Bulldogs had the No.1 clearance player in the AFL last year in Tom Liberatore (183 clearances).

3. The Bulldogs were ranked second for hit-outs in 2013 behind the Sydney Swans. Will Minson was the best ruckman in the AFL last year with a total of 860 hit-outs for the season.

4. In 2013, West Coast lost nine of 12 games at Patersons Stadium, a record that equalled the Eagles' second-worst season at home in their 27-season history.

5. Both teams were on the right side of the umpires' ledger in 2013. The Bulldogs were ranked second for free kicks received with 443 while West Coast was third with 427.

6. Josh Kennedy (ranked No.132) and Jack Darling (No.147) kicked 102 goals between them last season yet they are ranked lower on the Official AFL Player Ratings than Bulldog forwards Robert Murphy (81) and Luke Dahlhaus (89).

Prediction: West Coast by 40 points