MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Lance Franklin of the Swans is tackled by Marcus Adams of the Bulldogs during the 2017 AFL round 02 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
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1. Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs

Thursday, SCG 7:20pm, AEST

Another Grand Final rematch sees last year's premiers and runners-up not where they expected themselves to be at this point in the year. The Bulldogs sit sixth and have struggled to find consistent four quarter efforts, while Sydney are 16th, a position few would have predicted they would be in.

In round two the Bulldogs knocked off the Swans in what was an exciting contest. That game will remind Luke Beveridge about the importance of shutting Lance Franklin down. Earlier in the year, Buddy almost single-handedly took the game from the Dogs.

Sydney are unlikely to roll over in this one, especially with what is becoming a budding rivalry. However, the Dogs have shown in the past they come off a bye very well.

Tip: Dogs by 12

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