WEST Coast has held off a desperate Western Bulldogs to notch a hard-fought seven-point win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
After building a 30-point lead late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs kicked four of the last five goals but their comeback came up just short with the Eagles winning 12.15 (87) to 11.14 (80).
West Coast ruckman Nathan Vardy sealed the victory with two magnificent efforts, kicking the final goal of the game out of a stoppage and pushing into defence to take a desperate mark as the Bulldogs pushed one final time.
It was a gutsy win for the travelling Eagles, who have been criticised for their form on the road this season, losing their past three games in Melbourne before Saturday's clash.
They overcame fresh injuries to Sam Butler (hamstring) and Sharrod Wellingham (hip), as well as the absence of skipper Shannon Hurn, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and star forward Josh Kennedy to notch their eighth win of the season and solidify their place in the top eight.
The Bulldogs are now 7-7, with only one good quarter of football to boast out of Saturday's match, having kicked 7.9 across the first three quarters.
For West Coast, Jack Darling was super in attack, making up for the absence of Kennedy by providing a strong aerial target and kicking 3.2 with a further six score assists.
Midfielder Andrew Gaff was given freedom to roam the wings and won a career-high 42 possessions, launching the ball inside 50 a game-high 10 times.
The Eagles dominated the midfield, winning the clearances 46-29 and kicking 7.5 (47) to 0.3 (3) from stoppages.
On-ballers Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and Sam Mitchell were all strong around the stoppages, with the Bulldogs unable to capitalise of the ruck dominance of ruckman Tom Campbell (47 hit-outs).
Despite their shortcomings, however, they were still able to launch a thrilling comeback that fell just short.
The Eagles left door ajar in the final term, conceding the opening three goals and allowing the margin to tighten to just eight points after a game-high lead of 30.
With only two fit men on the bench, the visitors were under siege and needed to respond, but they could not take their chances,
After a dirty day, livewire forward Jake Stringer had his moment, intercepting Tom Barrass' kick from deep in defence to snap a goal that cut the margin to just one point.
All the momentum was with the Bulldogs, but with three minutes remaining Vardy snapped a goal out of stoppage, with the Eagles then sending numbers behind the ball.
As the Bulldogs launched their final desperate efforts inside 50, Jeremy McGovern took brilliant pack mark, with Vardy's effort then sealing the result.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.2 4.5 7.9 11.14 (80)
WEST COAST 4.6 6.9 11.13 12.15 (87)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Redpath 2, Hunter 2, Wallis 2, Dale, Dickson, McLean, Roughead, Stringer
West Coast: Darling 3, Karpany 3, Cripps 2, McGovern, Petrie, Sheed, Vardy
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Dale, Hunter, Macrae, McLean, Murphy
West Coast: Gaff, Darling, Petrie, McGovern, Vardy, McKenzie, Hutchings
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Redpath (corked thigh)
West Coast: Butler (hamstring) Wellingham (hip), Vardy (shoulder), Butler (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Andrew Stephens, Andrew Mitchell
Official crowd: TBC
