The Western Bulldogs and West Coast Eagles have both adapted a high-intensity game style this season and for the better part of three quarters, both teams displayed a fast-moving, high-pressure match with 28 goals kicked up to three-quarter time.

Although matching it with the Eagles for three quarters, the Eagles ability to win the contest in the final term was critical, according to Bulldogs defender Easton Wood.

“They really broke it open, they won the contest around the ball, they’ve got such a good midfield and it seemed like they moved it pretty well out of there.

“With such a potent forward line they were able to really get on top of us.”

For three quarters the contest was electric, with both sides maintaining breakneck speed – a trademark of both teams in 2015.

The turnover rate was high for both sides, particularly early on, but Wood credited that to speed of play.

“Both the teams will take the game on a fair bit, and that’s bound to happen, we both put pretty good pressure on so there is going to be turnovers as a result.”

Early on the Bulldogs forwards made the most of those turnovers, with Jake Stringer kicking five goals and Stewart Crameri kicking three.

Both players looked dangerous as the ball moved forward for the Dogs, but Wood said his side failed to give them enough opportunity.

“They were good once we got it in there, we probably just didn’t get it in there enough for them to let them get to work.”