TV: Fox Sports
Sportingbet says: West Coast $1.28 Western Bulldogs $3.70
Why watch?
So many unknowns. The Eagles have a new coach for the first time in a decade. The Bulldogs started to show great signs late last season under Brendan McCartney. Many believe the Eagles will improve markedly on a disappointing 2013, and need to get off to a flyer at home to make that happen.
Match notes
- Eagles coach Adam Simpson makes his senior coaching debut
- Hawthorn premiership player Xavier Ellis set to make debut for West Coast
Say what?
''We do want to be the danger to the competition every week. If we do get knocked down - as we're sure to from time to time - we'll get back up again," Bulldogs president Peter Gordon lays down what he expects from the club on-field in 2014.
Key injuries
Beau Waters - WC - shoulder
Robert Murphy - WB - elbow
Jarrad Grant - WB - foot
Last 5 games (includes 2013 season)
West Coast
W 17 Gold Coast
W 53 Essendon
L 66 Geelong
L 62 Collingwood
L 86 Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
L 35 Sydney
W 28 Carlton
W 17 Adelaide
L 7 Brisbane
W 20 Melbourne
Last 5 between clubs
WC-WC-WC-WC-WB
Fantasy factoid
Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen had 11 30-plus possession games in a breakout 2013.
Cold hard fact
Despite missing the finals, the Bulldogs won four of their last six matches in 2013.