The Western Bulldogs have one foot in the door as they push for their second ever finals berth after an assured 32-point win against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The 8.7 (55) to 3.5 (23) win was soured, however, by a potentially serious ankle injury to forward Kirsten McLeod just four minutes into her long-awaited return after more than a year out of the game with concussion issues.

The Bulldogs were desperate to win on Saturday, needing to maintain a buffer between them and ninth-placed Gold Coast, who had drawn level on five wins before Saturday's game but now needs a lot to go its way to steal eighth place.

A win against Carlton next Friday night will seal the Bulldogs' finals place, but a decent percentage gap should prove handy if the Blues orchestrate a final-round upset.

The Bulldogs were in control from the outset on Saturday, mostly due to their straight kicking as the Eagles fumbled the ball and their opportunities in front of goal.

They were also committed to bringing a strong pressure game, out-tackling the Eagles 24-9 in the opening quarter to set the tone, and 61-37 for the match.

00:47

Dogs go bang with two in a hot minute

Back-to-back goals from Richelle Cranston and Sarah Hartwig gives their side an early lead

They made their move early in an entertaining third quarter, kicking three goals on the run as Sarah Hartwig continued as a weapon in attack and Kirsty Lamb controlled the midfield with nine touches for the term.

Through Lamb (21 disposals and five clearances) and Isabelle Pritchard (18 and three), they got the better of the midfield battles and were able to chain clean possession chains together, playing on at every opportunity.

The Eagles got their first goal 13 minutes into the third quarter, thanks to a 100m penalty against ruck Celine Moody for dissent, with Bella Lewis gifted an opportunity from the top of the goalsquare.

00:45

Hartwig's runner continues Dogs' roll

Sarah Hartwig nails this running goal to extend her side's lead during the third term

Debutant Ashleigh Gomes then converted her set shot to ignite her teammates and the crowd, giving the Eagles momentum as they faced a four-goal margin to chase down at the final break.

The Bulldogs' four-goal margin was restored shortly after by Eleanor Brown, who converted on her left to all but seal the important four points and a finals place for her team.

WEST COAST                           0.3   0.3   2.4   3.5 (23)
WESTERN BULLDOGS             3.0   3.2   6.4   8.7 (55)

GOALS
West Coast: Gomes, Hartill, Lewis
Western Bulldogs: Berry 2, Hartwig 2, Bateman, Brown, Cranston, Newton

BEST
West Coast: Swanson, Lewis, Lakay, Smith
Western Bulldogs: Lamb, Hartwig, Berry, Pritchard, Moody

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil  
Western Bulldogs: McLeod (ankle)  

Reports: Nil

00:24

AFLW Team Song: Western Bulldogs

Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their round nine win