Bulldogs avoid AFL grand final replay hype

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says they are treating their AFL grand final rematch against Sydney as just another game.

Coach of the Bulldogs Luke Beveridge

The Western Bulldogs are treating the AFL grand-final rematch against Sydney as just another game. (AAP)

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says personnel changes to both teams means they are treating the AFL grand final rematch against Sydney as just another game.

There's been a low key build-up to Friday night's clash at Etihad Stadium and Beveridge admits that's the way his defending champion team likes it.

That may change when the Bulldogs unfurl their premiership flag pre-game, for the first time since 1955.

"We have a 'just another game' type mindset, which it really is, being round two of a new season," Beveridge said on Thursday.

"If you look at the personnel in both teams we're pretty different from that last game last year, so there's a lot of change."

Sydney will have eight players missing from last year's grand final line-up, with the likes of Dane Rampe, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley out through injury while Tom Mitchell has joined the Hawks.

The Bulldogs have made seven changes from their grand final team with Dale Morris joining Jordan Roughead on the injured list and Clay Smith, Josh Dunkley and Toby McLean all omitted.

Ex-Magpie Travis Cloke, skipper Bob Murphy and Stewart Crameri are among their replacements.

The Bulldogs overcame a gritty Collingwood in round one, while the Swans opened their season with a 28-point loss to Port Adelaide in Sydney.

Beveridge predicted they would be stinging from the defeat.

"Port were quite outstanding and we know that Sydney will be keen to bounce back and we've got to be prepared for that," he said.

"It's not often that Sydney drop two in a row and I'm sure they will be looking to claw their way back on to the winning side of things."

While their last result went the Bulldogs' way, the Swans have no fears about playing at Etihad, unbeaten there since 2012, having won their past 10.

Beveridge said it was time for his team to end that run, and make a statement on their home turf.

Young key defender Marcus Adams has replaced Morris, who is out for eight weeks with a broken leg, with Sydney presenting a dangerous three-pronged attack of Lance Franklin, Sam Reid and Kurt Tippett.

The Bulldogs have also bolstered their ruck stocks with Tom Campbell returning to support Tom Boyd.


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Source: AAP



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