Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has promised no immediate reprisals at the selection table despite his side succumbing to one of the upsets of the AFL season to leave their top four hopes in jeopardy.

Struggling West Coast beat the Bulldogs by five points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, hanging on for dear life for the win after leading by as many as 47 points.

Eagles forward Mark LeCras booted a late goal to seal victory inside the final two minutes, 16.6 (102) to 13.19 (97), after the lead changed four times in the final term.

Coming into the game in third place, the Bulldogs appeared on the verge of a remarkable come-from-behind win as they rolled back a 47-point deficit from the 21-minute mark of the second quarter.

West Coast had ambushed the Dogs early, booting the opening nine goals as the lacklustre Dogs struggled to find the target and kicked 11 successive behinds to open their scoring.

But the game changed complexion just before halftime as the Bulldogs booted three quick goals - including one after the siren by Brian Lake - to go into halftime trailing by just 22 points.

The Dogs chipped away at the Eagles in the third term to go into the final change five points down, setting the stage for a grandstand finish.

Early fourth quarter goals to Lindsay Gilbee and Adam Cooney gave the Dogs an eight-point lead and momentum they looked certain to use to run away with the match.

Instead, Eagles forward Andrew Embley booted two in succession - one a miracle goal from a boundary line set shot - to put his side back in front.

Jason Akermanis immediately returned the Dogs to the lead with his second goal, before LeCras grabbed a mark to give the Eagles a chance to snatch back the ascendancy.

He booted truly for his third, with Embley and Josh Kennedy kicking four each to spearhead West Coast's sixth win of the season.

Eade was less than thrilled with his team's effort in a match most had pencilled in as a "gimme" for the Bulldogs.

He said he would resist the temptation to make his point at the selection table ahead of next weekend's clash with second-placed Geelong.

That match now takes on huge significance as Collingwood, Adelaide and Brisbane are vying with the Dogs for the finals double chance.

"We made that many mistakes and when you miss that many goals, and you don't work hard enough for long enough, you get what you deserve in footy," Eade said.

"Obviously we've got some players who are not consistent with their effort. I don't think you make a knee-jerk reaction (in terms of axing players) at this stage.

"In the cool light of day we'll think about it."

The Bulldogs are now 12-7 and remain in the top four despite their defeat.

Defender Shannon Hurn was outstanding for the Eagles with 31 touches and 10 marks, while Embley had 32 possessions to go with his four goals.

The win broke a 19-match away losing streak for the Eagles and was the young side's second consecutive win.

"It's just another step in where we're going," coach John Worsfold said.

"I'm very proud of the way the players have responded in the last couple of weeks. The talent is there and it's developing rapidly."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP