He only managed one AFL game in 2006, forcing his way into the team after a string of good performances in the WAFL, only to be dropped after West Coast's defeat to Collingwood.
At the end of the 2006 season West Coast offered McDougall a one-year contract, but due to lack of opportunities at the club he opted to be traded to the Western Bulldogs who had shown an interest in McDougall over the past few years.