Yass local, university student and Swans supporter Lloyd Scroope said Sydney’s experience will prove too strong for the Western Bulldogs in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, October 1.
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“The Swans have made the grand final five times in the past 12 years, so I tip the Swans by 17 points. I hope they win by a lot more but any win will do,” he said.
Shared history
It has been 62 years since the Western Bulldogs won its previous premiership.
Since its win in 1954, the club has reached only two subsequent grand finals: 1961 and 2016.
If any club could empathise with a premiership drought, it is the Swans who had to wait 72 years before winning again in 2005.
“It’s a good time to be a Swans supporter given they went 70 plus years without an appearance in a grand final,” Scroope said.
Grand-final experiences
Despite the Bulldogs not having grand-final experience since the 50s, Scroope concedes that it is also similar with some of the current Sydney players
“The Swans have about eight debutants in the grand-final team who weren’t playing at the start of the year.
“They’ve got a pretty young team as well, but they’ve also got really experienced players like Lance Franklin and Tom Mitchell.
“Honestly, we’re lucky to have such experienced players and they’re still young,” he said.
Momentum
Asked about the Swans preparations, Scroope said he believes the they are better prepared compared with the Victorian team.
“Because they had an extra day turnaround. Despite that, even though the dogs only missed out on top four because it was a tight top eight. For them to reach the final after finishing seventh, they have momentum” he said.
Road to Sydney
Mr Scroope and his girlfriend will head to Sydney to watch the game.
“I’m not a member [of the MCG] so it’s pretty hard to get a ticket. We’ll find a good venue in Sydney, maybe the SCG,” he said.
Mr Scroope said his girlfriend is not “a massive AFL fan”.
“She’s a Giants supporter, but barely.
“It would’ve been great to see GWS against the Swans. It would’ve tested our relationship,” he said, chuckling.
The previous two meetings between the clubs, the Bulldogs won.
“The Swans will need to play very well. It will be a tight one. Whoever wins deserves the premiership,” Scroope said.