Where and when: Subiaco, Sunday June 20, 2.40pm
Head to head: West Coast 25 wins, Western Bulldogs 13 wins, one draws
Last time: West Coast 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97), round 19, 2009, at Etihad Stadium

MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast
Sam Butler (ankle) - eight weeks
Darren Glass (abdomen) - test
Jordan Jones (ankle) - six weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - six weeks
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - TBA
Adam Selwood (AC joint) - test
Luke Shuey (virus) - indefinite
Tom Swift (ill) - TBA

Western Bulldogs
Jason Akermanis (hamstring) - TBA
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Ryan Hargrave (ankle) - test
Shaun Higgins (ankle) - one to two weeks
Lukas Markovic (shoulder) - test
Shane Thorne (knee) - eight weeks
Tom Williams (hamstring) - one week

FORM
West Coast: WLLLL
Western Bulldogs: WWLLW

SUMMARY
For West Coast, a trip to Melbourne wasn't the best way to spend the long weekend, and not just because it was cold. As Dean Cox audibly stated during - and after - the Eagles' 49-point loss to cellar-dwellers Richmond, they were embarrassed by the ease at which the Tigers got out to an unbeatable start at the MCG on Sunday.

It was the Eagles' fourth loss in a row, with defeats by St Kilda, Carlton and Geelong preceding it and ensuring they have not moved from 14th spot on the ladder since round eight.

Meanwhile, it was a different story for the Western Bulldogs. They recovered from back to back losses to Essendon and Collingwood to post a much-needed - and emphatic - win over the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium. The Lions were undermanned but it was the Dogs' endeavour that sparked the 65-point win.

The weekend's victory has kept the Bulldogs in touch with the top four and resting at fifth on the ladder given their percentage is superior to Carlton's and the Sydney Swans'.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Rodney Eade has been all about mixing things up this year and on Sunday re-introduced Robert Murphy to the field with a role down back. The creativity, calmness and footy-sense of Murphy makes him a reliable prospect at either end of the ground, but expect him to line up in defence this weekend with Tom Williams out and Ryan Hargrave in doubt.

No player likes to read about themselves, especially when the reviews have degenerated from predictions to win the NAB AFL Rising Star to calling for his omission. Nic Naitanui got his first taste of what it's like to be in the media for the wrong reasons after Sunday's game with his endeavour, fitness and enthusiasm all questioned. Does he need a physical rest or just a mental rev-up? Whatever the issue, eyes will be on him this week to assess his response.

QUESTION MARKS
The Eagles are reeling from their humiliating loss to the competition's bottom-placed team. Will John Worsfold's reaction involve some heavy axe-swinging?

The Bulldogs have not beaten West Coast at Subiaco since round 13, 2006. The Eagles also hold a clear advantage over the Dogs with 10 wins from 14 matches. Do these statistics even matter?

Brian Lake up forward, Robert Murphy down back. What other tricks do Eade and the Dogs' coaching staff have up their sleeve?

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Eagles are sure to be smarting after the criticism they've copped this week, while John Worsfold will be keen to make a statement considering the conjecture that's been placed on his tenure as coach.

However, the Dogs are up and about. This match is as equally important as last week's if they want to stake their claim as a serious top-four contender, and their midfield should easily account for an Eagles' engine room that was made to look silly by Richmond last week.

PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 43 points.

Chat with host Matt Brown and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 2.10pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afleaglesdogs.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.