It’s almost time for the game that stops the nation! I am so pumped for the 2016 AFL Grand Final, especially because we will finally see a different team win the flag for once!

I will happily admit that I have jumped on the Western Bulldogs bandwagon! Who hasn’t?? Their road to the GF has been absolutely inspiring and I am so happy for them. No team has ever won a GF from 7^th spot on the ladder so I think about 95% of the AFL world will be rooting for the Dogs to make history. Both teams have had great seasons and have equal chances of winning the Premiership. Check out some reasons why I think each team can win.

SYDNEY SWANS

1. Finals Experience

Since the Swans 2005 Grand Final win over West Coast Eagles, they have made 3 more GF appearances, including another Premiership win in 2012 over the Hawks. Despite the amount of new faces in the Swans’ side, there are still many experienced players who will be looking to make up for the 2014 GF 63 point loss to the Hawks. Eighteen players on the Swans list have played in a GF, compared to just one (Matthew Suckling) for the Bulldogs.

2. Buddy Franklin

As much as I hate to admit it (I’m not a huge fan of his), Buddy Franklin can really have an impact on the outcome of a game. If he is having a good game in front of goal, he is almost impossible to stop. I also think that if Buddy is on fire, it lifts the spirits of the rest of the team and that’s exactly what Sydney will need in the GF. Isaac Heeney is another one to watch. He has been excellent for the Swans, not only the way he attacks the ball in the midfield, also the way he uses it so effectively.

3. A Good Start

Sydney got off to a ridiculously good start last week against the Cats, kicking 8 unanswered goals and completely controlling the game from then on. If they can do the same thing in the Grand Final, they could form a hefty lead early, making it impossible for the Dogs to catch up.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

1. Support

Labeled as ‘everyone’s second favourite team’, the Bulldogs definitely have the majority of the AFL supporters behind them. Everyone loves to see the underdogs do well, and I KNOW I am not the only one who has felt emotional (in a happy way) about the Bulldogs’ road to the GF. So many people, other AFL players (past and present) and athletes from other sports are all getting around the Dogs, which would really be lifting the teams belief in themselves.

2. Momentum

Let’s re-cap the impressive past few weeks from the Bulldogs. They belted West Coast Eagles away from home by 47 points in the quarter finals, beat the reigning premiers Hawthorn by 23 points in the semi-finals, and then won an AMAZING game against GWS in the prelim finals. The Bulldogs did not go in to any of those games as the favourites to win and yet, knocked them all over. They are riding that huge momentum wave right into the Grand Final and will have more confidence than ever.

3. Pace

Anyone who has watched a Bulldogs game could tell you that they play fast paced footy. Their handball skills are unbelievable and unforced errors have been practically non-existent. They have been playing incredible footy. It’s one thing to play a fast game, it’s another to be able to keep it together for all four quarters. As we have seen in the past weeks, the Bulldogs have no trouble running the game right down to the wire, which I think they can use to overrun the Swans. Fact: The Bulldogs are the only team in the competition to average over 400 possessions a game.

Personally, I think the footy Gods are leaning in the Bulldogs favour. I would absolutely love to see them win the 2016 Grand Final so I am going to tip the Western Bulldogs to beat the Sydney Swans by a close 5 points!

I think it is going to be an absolute ripper game and I can’t wait for October 1^st! Let us know your #AFLGF predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne