The injury cloud has rained all over the Eagles’ parade…

The West Coast Eagles come into this round off a heartbreaking three-point loss to Melbourne last week at Domain Stadium. The momentum was swinging back and forth throughout the game however, Tom McDonald sealed the win for Melbourne in the dying seconds with an unbelievable snap goal. It was the first time Melbourne has beaten the Eagles in Perth in 13 years!

The devastating finish was not the only talking point to come out of the match, with Eagle Will Schofield controversially reported for an incident with Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver. Schofield was appropriately found ‘not guilty’ by the AFL Tribunal however he will miss this week’s clash with the Dogs anyway with a hip concern.

Schofield is not the only West Coast Eagles player who will miss the clash with the Bulldogs at Etihad on Saturday. Matt Priddis has been ruled out with general soreness, Josh Hill is out with illness and Shannon Hurn will miss the game as a result of his concussion in the Melbourne game last weekend.

This adds to the ever-growing injury list which includes star forward Josh Kennedy who is yet to return from a calf/Achilles injury, Mark LeCras who is still out with a hip complaint and Nic Naitanui who is unlikely to play a game this season after his knee reconstruction.

Eagles Coach Adam Simpson has included four players into the line-up to take on the Dogs, naming Sharrod Wellingham, Chris Masten, Jack Redden and veteran Sam Butler in the squad. Drew Petrie was a stand out for the Eagles last week kicking four goals in his first game back from injury, I hope he comes out with the same accuracy in front of goal this week!

The last time the Eagles and Bulldogs met (round 8) Andrew Gaff finished with an impressive 35 disposals, while Sam Mitchell managed 33. They will need to recapture that form this weekend against the fast-paced Bulldogs and get on top of the Dogs early.

The Western Bulldogs managed a one-point win over the Kangaroos last week at Etihad. The Dogs have struggled to find their Premiership winning form this season however, they have been impressive at Etihad, winning five of their six home games in 2017. They welcome skipper Bob Murphy back from injury this week, while Tom Liberatore is out of the squad after copping a cork in last weekends match against the Roos.

I think it will be another close game for both teams this week, I am tipping the West Coast Eagles to beat the Western Bulldogs by 5 points!

Let us know you #AFLDogsEagles predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaPaynes