MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: The Western Bulldogs pose with the Premiership Cup after winning the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Former Richmond champion Kevin Bartlett believes only three Victorian sides are good enough to challenge for the flag in 2017.

Despite the top four after eight rounds all being interstate teams, Bartlett said it's not time to discount the Victorian teams, but did say it marks the end of Geelong's premiership tilt.

The Cats have lost their past three matches and have a tough clash with the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, with Bartlett believing another loss will see Geelong in a position they won't recover from.

Bartlett believes St Kilda and Melbourne are the two other sides who can challenge from Victoria.

"Tonight Geelong unveils a new grandstand in their first home game of the year," Bartlett said on SEN radio on Friday morning.

Unfortunately buildings and bright lights don’t kick goals.

The Western Bulldogs are good things.

Coach Luke Beveridge has axed 4 premiership players to strengthen his line up and brings back the big 5 – Murphy, Cloke, Morris, Wallis and Dickson.

The Dogs are one of only 3 Victorian sides that can win the Premiership this year.

The others are St Kilda and Melbourne.

I’m surprised there’s plenty of support for Sydney after they have beaten bottom sides in Brisbane and North Melbourne.

St Kilda will bury any chance Sydney has of playing finals at Etihad tomorrow.

The Saints are playing high energy, pressure football and are living certainties against the Swans.

And the Dees will brush North Melbourne aside for they are just starting to believe that like the Dogs last year why it can’t be them and not other clubs that win finals and flags.

Interstate sides hold down the top 4 positions as we speak.

But believe me, the Vics are coming!

I’m KB, that’s my take."