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 says 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 are set to have eight players missing from last year’s grand final line-up, with the likes of Jarrad McVeigh, Tom Papley and Gary Rohan out through injury while Tom Mitchell has joined the Hawks.
The Bulldogs will make several changes from their grand final team with Dale Morris joining Jordan Roughhead on the injured list while ex-Magpie Travis Cloke, skipper Bob Murphy and Stewart Crameri come in.
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 last 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 is likely to come in to replace Morris, who is out for eight weeks with a broken leg, with Sydney presenting a dangerous three-pronged attack with Lance Franklin, Sam Reid and Kurt Tippett.
“He played really well against Collingwood at VFL level last week, and we’ll definitely consider him (for selection),” Beveridge said.
“It’s more than likely he’ll come in and replace Dale.”
