Finals axing the making of Western Bulldogs forward

After playing 21 games last year, West was axed for an elimination final loss against Hawthorn.

But the son of Bulldogs great Scott West has played all 19 games this season for 32 goals - already a personal best in a year that has at least four matches left.

The 25-year-old has superbly filled the small forward role of Cody Weightman, who has been injured this entire season.

"I missed out on playing in the final last year, which was very disappointing," West told AAP.

"That was probably my biggest driver in the off-season.

"I didn't want that to happen again. 

"I just put my head down, working hard, doing the things that I need to get better on that the coaches told me in the exit interviews in 2024 and hopefully it's coming out on field."

West has become one of the harder players in the league to tackle, regularly forcing his way out of oncoming traffic.

He admitted he had become stronger in the off-season, but also lifted his aerobic capacity.

"Probably fitness was my main one, just covering ground and not letting my teammates down in a turnover, which at times I was. 

"Hopefully that's gotten a lot better this year and it makes me more reliable to my teammates."

Whether West gets a chance at finals redemption will hinge on the last four games of the season.

The Bulldogs may need to win all their remaining matches to qualify for September, starting with Thursday night's blockbuster clash with GWS.

West played down the rivalry with the Giants, saying both teams had changed significantly since they faced off in heated finals in 2016 and 2019.

"The Giants are a great side," he said.

"I think our team's evolved a lot since (the famous 2016 premiership).

"They're always going to be a tough side and they're always gonna bring it, but as a modern-day rivalry, it's up to the fans to decide."

Australian Associated Press