Rd 18 - West Coast vs Western Bulldogs - Sun 22/07 3:20pm Optus Stadium

[Trindacut]

Ending a 23-year MCG drought against Collingwood came at a massive cost for West Coast, with talismanic ruckman Nic Naitanui expected to be ruled out for at least 12 months due to a ruptured ACL. It was a major blow for the Eagles' flag hopes but, after leapfrogging the Pies into second spot on the ladder, they need to quickly refocus and get the job done against the Bulldogs, whose form has improved since West Coast rolled them by 51 points in round two. Luke Beveridge's men have been thumped in the past two games by Melbourne and Hawthorn, but shocked Geelong and pushed North Melbourne all the way the previous fortnight. Taking it up to the Eagles will still be a challenge for the visitors, especially without star Marcus Bontempelli (appendix), and they will need to contain West Coast's twin towers Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling to notch only a second win from the past 12 trips west.