Western Bulldogs embrace underdog status for 2016 AFL Grand Final

WHAT a remarkable finals series it has been for the Western Bulldogs.

And, while the bookies have them as the outsiders to defeat Sydney in this weekend’s AFL grand final, it would be very hard to bet against them after their superb run.

Starting as the underdogs in each of their three finals so far, the Doggies have overcome the odds to win each game, ending a 55-year drought from the big dance.

And now they are one win away from their first premiership since 1954 and just their second overall.

In fact, they have only ever played in two grand finals in their entire history.

By contrast, this will be Sydney’s third in the past five seasons and fifth in their past 12.

They have won two of those.

The Swans finished on top of the AFL ladder and, after a scare from Greater Western Sydney in the first week of finals, roared into gear with crushing victories over Adelaide and Geelong.

The Dogs have history – and the odds – against them.

Sportsbet.com.au has the sons of the west at $2.40 to topple Sydney on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, with the Swans at $1.58.

But the Dogs never lie down.

And, here’s an interesting tidbit.

In the two teams’ only clash this season, the Bulldogs claimed a remarkable four-point win on the Sydney Cricket Ground after running half back Jason Johanissen slotted a ripping goal in the last minute to give the Dogs four points.

And guess what, they also won by four points on the SCG last season as well.

It begs the question, would these pups rather face the Swans in Sydney than on the G?

Probably not, but that is some enthralling food for thought to consider.

Sportsbet.com.au’s Christian Jantzen reports the Swans 1-39 is the favourite in the winning margin while the line has been set at 11.5 with the Bulldogs receiving the start, the plus – minus at $1.92.

“For the fourth week in a row, we’ll have the Bulldogs as outsiders but the punters believe in them,”Jantzen said.

“Twice as much money was bet on them to upset the Giants.”

Luke Beveridge has already joined the upper echelon of AFL coaches, his hard running, uncompromising brand of football rubbing off on his young charges.

And he says they can do it one more time, with the focus on lifting the cup.

“It is a great milestone for the club (reaching the grand final) after how many years and seven prelim finals in a row we have lost,” Beverage told media.

“And it’s a great victory just getting into the grand final but it’s a mature group and no one is acting like we have won anything yet, this is the big one coming up.

“That is what everyone has their eyes set on even before the West Coast game.

“This group has had their eyes set on the big one whether it is this year or the years down the track.

“That is what we are pretty focused on.”

Bevo, as he is affectionately known, says the club’s battling history gives his men even more incentive to win on the weekend.

“Everyone’s aware of history and we know it’s here,” Beveridge said.

“Maybe it’s a little bit more of an incentive to buck the trend and win one.

“It’s a new breed of Bulldogs players who are searching for success.

“We’re definitely on the right track.

“When I think of our fans driving back down the Hume (after the match against the Giants) and all the support that we’ve had and how people would be feeling who for a long time haven’t seen the Dogs play in a grand final.

“It’d be a big night all around Australia for our supporters and we feel pretty good about that.”

Inspiring youngster Marcus Bontempelli is the Dogs’ favourite to win the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in the decider, at a $7.50 quote with CrownBet.com.au.

The Package Jake Stringer and preliminary final four-goal hero Tory Dickson are the favourites to bag the first goal, at $12 with WilliamHill.com.au.

For Sydney, this match offers some redemption, after they were completely smashed by Hawthorn on grand final day two years ago.

The Swans mauled the Cats in the prelim, benching many of their stars before the night was out.

He says the Swans are a new team since that loss to Hawthorn.

“It’s been a significant change in a short period of time, but we need to get out there and play well,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to get in (to the grand final) and we’re really thrilled with the way we played and the way we played over the last couple of weeks.

“We’re thrilled to get an opportunity, and the job’s ahead of us.”

Lance Franklin is the popular pick for first goal in the match for Sydney and he is the favourite out of every one at $7.50 with Sportsbet.com.au.

The mercurial forward is also $8.50 to win the Norm Smith Medal, just behind Bontempelli and favourites Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy.

2016 AFL grand final markets

Head to head:

Sydney Swans ($1.58)

Western Bulldogs ($2.40)

Winning Margin:

Sydney 1-39 ($2.10)

Sydney 40+ ($4.33)

Draw ($61)

Bulldogs 1-39 ($3)

Bulldogs 40+ ($11)

Line Betting:

Sydney (-11.5) ($1.92)

Bulldogs (+11.5) ($1.92)

Norm Smith top five:

Dan Hannebery ($7)

Josh Kennedy ($7)

Marcus Bontempelli ($7.50)

Lance Franklin ($8.50)

Luke Parker ($8.50)

First goal scorer top five:

Lance Franklin ($7)

Jake Stringer ($12)

Tory Dickson ($12)

Gary Rohan ($12)

Kurt Tippett ($12)