WEST COAST

Luke Beveridge takes his ever-popular Western Bulldogs across the Nullarbor on the toughest road trip in football – an away game against a Perth-based opponent.

This year it is the resurgent West Coast Eagles under Adam Simpson.

Last year's grand finalists have rediscovered their mojo and, with four consecutive wins, go into the game as favourites.

West Coast have built their "team belief" with wins in tough matches: they pulled away from Fremantle in the recent derby as expected, before beating GWS in Sydney and Hawthorn at Domain Stadium, then going to the Adelaide Oval in round 23 to come away with an outstanding victory.

Nic Naitanui's heroics to get the last-gasp goal have cemented the positive morale that has all involved thinking they are again contenders – even from outside the top four.

The Eagles midfield is in form, even without the dominant Nic Nat. They will back themselves to win the all-important "inside" battle and give their tall, marking forwards a healthy number of inside 50 entries. The Eagles midfield like to kick it forward, as opposed to the Dogs, who will use a high handball style around the middle of the ground before going inside 50.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Beveridge will back his midfield in this battle (both teams average almost the same number of clearances) and the games of Bontempelli, Picken, Jong and Dahlhaus will be important.

If Tom Liberatore can get up for the game it will be a huge fillip to the Dogs' chances. With neither team having a dominant ruck, whoever can "strike at the ball" and get it running their way will have a distinct advantage. I favour the older, more experienced playmakers from the Eagles in this battle. Keeping Matt Priddis quiet could be on Beveridge's radar.

TACTICS

Both coaches spent time under Alistair Clarkson and have a similar approach to how they defend.

The Dogs like to press high and play in a "formation" defence, supporting each other and creating an outnumber to win the ball back and rebound with speed. The West Coast system is not dissimilar, as they too use their opponents only as a reference, or starting point, before looking to intercept or outnumber in the same fashion.

The opposition analyst works in that role for an AFL club.