It’s a grand final rematch as the Western Bulldogs raise the flag against the Sydney Swans. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The Bulldogs’ premiership defence looked to be off to a sublime start last Friday night, after dominating the first quarter.
But the Doggies fell asleep during the second, and ended up surrendering a five-goal lead early in the third.
They rebounded with five unanswered goals to take a strong lead into the final quarter and while they were lacklustre from then, they did just enough to hold on for a 14-point win.
A win is a win, but Luke Beveridge knows his boys will have to lift if they’re to enjoy another win over last year’s minor premiers and runners-up.
Sydney’s start to 2017, however, couldn’t have been worse.
Despite missing more than a few of their best 22, the Swans were tipped to make light work of Port Adelaide at the SCG, but instead found themselves locked in for a tight tussle all evening.
After playing catch-up for most of the first half, horrendous ball use saw John Longmire’s men blown away by the Power in a shocking 28-point Round 1 boilover.
The task gets no easier this week against the Dogs, and this tight competition the season can get away from you quickly.
After suffering a six-game losing streak against the Swans between 2011 and 2014, the Bulldogs have bounced back under Luke Beveridge, winning all three matches since, including two at the SCG.
Remarkably however, these two sides have played at Etihad Stadium only three times, with Sydney triumphing on all three occasions by an average of 60 points.
Prediction
The Bulldogs looked shaky at times against Collingwood last week but, as the elite teams do, they found a way to win despite playing below their best.
Sydney will be looking to rebound after a shocking effort last week, but still appear to have far too many outs to trouble the premiers on their fearsome home deck.
Bulldogs by 26 points
DonsR
Guest
Yeah Dan Rampe is a pretty average all Australian defender! Heeney will get there eventuallly too
DonsR
Guest
All Australian - Dan rampe and also papley
Bruce
Guest
Things certainly could get ugly. Plus the players they have coming back aren't exactly good. McVeigh (too old), Rohan (too crap), Heeney (overrated but isn't bad), Rampe is a gun and Papley's a good dangerous forward. So really Rampe is the only big out. Their best players last night were Reid, Franklin and the 3 debutants. Too many passengers at the Swans...their bottom 10 are pathetic.
Pete
Guest
Getting tired of watching these umpires prop up the WBs. Week in and week out the 'darlings of the AFL' because of their backstory are being gifted free kicks and allowed a freedom in incorrect disposals and holding the ball decisions denied to other clubs. Last night Bontompelli was a classic example of a player who continually tried to crash the pack and was caught with the ball but the call was "no prior". When the Swans do similar, it was holding the ball - sometimes after a split second. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. And fans everywhere are becoming more aware of the favouritism being afforded the Bulldogs.
Bob
Guest
Then again maybe Sydney players may need to keep up with the new holding the ball rules. You can't just hold onto the ball for 20 seconds get spun around twice and hope to hand it off anymore. And defenders can just hold an arm over the forwards chest anymore. The rules have changed.
Rod
Guest
Agreed
Geoff Parkes
Expert
What's cliche champ is all the sooking about the umpiring. I watched and enjoyed the game as a neutral and while the Dogs got the rub of the calls they certainly didn't get all of them. Full credit to an undermanned Sydney for fighting back to regain the lead, but for anyone who thinks they were robbed of a win, that's just blind emotion taking over.
Micko
Guest
Chuck in the free kick count.
Wayne
Guest
Yes If Brisbane and Sydney get access to 30 leagues of afl clubs like exists in SA and WA and Victoria That makes drafting easier and less expensive Sydney shoulda traded Tippett He is a disaster
DeanM
Guest
Just wait until the Bulldogs skip ahead in the draft this year by bundling up junk picks for points and drafting the next Heeney and Mills. Oh wait.... they dont have a draft rorting Academy program.
DeanM
Guest
So are the Victorian teams going to get COLA for a decade or so and Academy programs to make it fair?
DeanM
Guest
Not nearly as big a free kick as the residual COLA benefits and Academy rort that gifts Sydney never ending final appearances.
berrlins
Roar Pro
Beyond disappointing that a normally decent game gets marred by dodge umpiring, the Mills call was a disgrace I would say the umpire reacted in the heat of the moment thinking he had the new rule called correctly but he got it wrong. couple of other calls were sketchy as well. If you're dumb enough to think its a conspiracy theory and that the umps are all about Vics go ump a game of AFL and let me know how you go, they are human but they need more help, extra runners or boundary riders or maybe clearer distinction on the rules to clarify in the heat of the moment.
Grassy_Grounds
Roar Rookie
Boyd and Franklin's pay are very similar but Cloke would not even be half of Tippett. Plus aren't the pies paying some of it out of their salary cap because his old contract (which hadn't expiredwas so over inflated? So you're wrong on that point. Tippet & Franklin are the reason that the swans can only afford kids. do you remember how quickly they had to dump Mumford in order to bring buddy in? No wonder they gave up trying to keep Mitchell last year. As for the umpires you've made 4 separate comments re umpires to my 1 tonight so it is very easy to see which of us is the lady who "doth protest too much"!
Kramer
Guest
Gee thats original Geoff! Expert at being boring and cliche? come up with something clever if your going to call yourself an expert champ.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Sydney have a lot of injuries, playing many guys with less than 20 games experience, and lost a close one interstate to the reigning champs. They're supposed to lose that match.
Cat
Roar Guru
Is it better to be unconvincing in winning or is it better to use weak excuses like injuries in losing?
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
At least it didn't happen in a Grand Final. Oh wait....
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
+12 the free kick count in the Grand Final.
Red Block
Guest
Agreed last two games between Swans and Dogs - Free Kicks Dogs 52 - Swans 20.