The Western Bulldogs’ finals chances have taken a significant hit, after a shock loss to West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

A tardy start and finish to the game cost the Bulldogs, who eventually went down by seven points to the Eagles and slipped outside the top eight with one game remaining.

The Dogs need to topple Geelong at GMHBA Stadium – a feat it has not achieved since 2003 – and rely on Carlton defeating GWS next Sunday, to qualify for the 2023 Finals.

West Coast led by as much as 26 points early in the game, but the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the contest and led by nine points at three-quarter time after a four-goal third-quarter burst.

09:51

Luke Beveridge | Post Match (RD23)

Bevo speaks to the media following the Round 23 loss.

But the Eagles kicked four straight majors to start the final term to take the game away from the hosts and secure their third win of the campaign.

The Dogs finished with five of the last six scoring shots, but ultimately were shaded by the better team on the day.

Marcus Bontempelli was the Bulldogs’ best on an otherwise forgettable afternoon, with the skipper gathering 32 disposals (21 of those contested), kicking a goal, laying 10 tackles and registering 10 score involvements.

Twelve of those disposals (and his goal) came in the third quarter as the Dogs surged back into the game.

Adam Treloar (32 possessions and a game-high 14 tackles) also worked hard throughout, while emerging defender James O’Donnell continued to show excellent signs, taking eight marks from his 14 touches.

Vote for your round 23 MVP here, thanks to People's Choice.

08:24

Match Highlights | RD23 vs West Coast

Watch Match Highlights from Round 23.

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 (thigh)

SUBSTITUTES 
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (replaced Jack Macrae in fourth quarter)
West Coast: Zane Trew (replaced Campbell Chesser at three-quarter time)

Crowd: 23,965 at Marvel Stadium