The Western Bulldogs have avoided a half-time scare at home, kicking the last four goals of the game to surge past West Coast on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles led by seven points at the main break, but the Bulldogs dug deep to wrestle back momentum and run out 13.8 (86) to 9.16 (70) victors.

Aaron Naughton was immense up forward with five goals, while captain Marcus Bontempelli racked up a staggering 12 clearances to go with his 25 disposals and two goals.

Richards finished with 28 touches, six clearances and one goal, with Bailey Dale (29 disposals), Rhylee West (23) and Tom Liberatore (23) also important contributors for the home side.

Two Naughton goals in the opening term gave the Bulldogs a nine-point advantage at quarter-time, but it was the Eagles who held a surprise lead at the main break.

The visitors kicked four goals to one in the second term and were 14 points up in the third when Duursma sprinted away from opponents to kick a superb goal from inside the centre square.

But Bontempelli replied almost immediately from similar range and added a second soon afterwards as the Bulldogs wrested back momentum.

Jedd Busslinger prevented a certain Eagles goal with a desperate smother on Shanahan, and Lobb's set shot helped the Dogs to a three-point lead at the final change.

Reid's snap from the boundary put West Coast back in front early in the final term, but the Bulldogs finished full of run and kicked the last four goals of the game, including two vital majors from Naughton.

The Eagles kept fighting to the end and had the last three scoring shots but couldn't find the goals to drag themselves back into the contest.

Box office battle
It was the future v the present when Harley Reid and Marcus Bontempelli went head to head at stages throughout the game. The no.1 pick from 2023, Reid was full of his customary fight and event fended off the Bont at times, while the Bulldogs captain's sublime skill and control of the footy were in full display. It was an entertaining battle that showed while Reid may be the future, Bontempelli isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

WESTERN BULLDOGS           4.2     5.7     9.8       13.8 (86)
WEST COAST                         2.5     6.8     8.11     9.16 (70)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Bontempelli 2, Jones, Croft, Williams, Richards, Lobb, Davidson
West Coast: Shanahan 2, Reid, Waterman, Williams, Cole, Graham, Murdock, Duursma

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Naughton, Richards, Dale
West Coast: Duursma, Reid, McCarthy, Starcevich

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Dale (TBC)
West Coast: Starcevich (eye, ankle)

Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium