COLLINGULLIE-Glenfield Park's AFL star Harry Perryman has backed Melbourne to back their flag drought in Saturday's grand final, but is wary of the momentum and grand final experience Western Bulldogs bring to the table.
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Perryman had arguably his best season in the league to date for Greater Western Sydney, who overcame strenuous travel and injuries to advance to the second week of finals.
The Giants accounted for the Demons, who are searching for a first premiership since 1964, by nine points in a low-scoring affair in round 16.
Perryman said the Bulldogs would have to be patient and relentless with their pressure if they are to add to their own drought-breaking flag in 2016.
"We just talked about changing the angles on them, not bombing it into Steven May and Jake Lever and lowering our eyes going inside 50," he said.
"We had some good pressure around the footy as well, we were able to cut through them.
"They set up very well behind the ball so you want to take them on and go through the corridor, avoid going down the line."
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The Bulldogs overran the Giants with a nine-goal quarter in round six to win by 39 points.
Perryman said the Demons have to be dogged with their pressure and ensure nothing comes easy for one of the classiest midfields in the competition.
"They run pretty deep in the midfield and that's where they got on top of us when we played them last time. I think it will be won in there," he said.
"If Melbourne's midfield can put some good pressure on the Dogs and make them 'dump kick' it in (they'll be well placed). If they can bring that I think it's going to be tough for the Doggies to win."
Both teams have had markedly different preparations. Melbourne has played one game in a month, while the Bulldogs have advance from fifth place with three straight finals win.
Perryman said the extra week off before the grand final would help the Bulldogs, but doesn't subscribe to the theory the Demons will be rusty.
"I'll be tipping the Dees but the Dogs are in good form," he said.
"I think the lead up benefits Melbourne, to be honest. With all the travel the Bulldogs have done, they've been everywhere and have had some tough games back to back.
"Even though they did have a week off last week which will help them, I still think it advantage the Dees."
Many Bulldogs players have grand final experience from 2016, while Jake Lever is the only Demons player to grace the big stage when he was playing for Adelaide.
Perryman's Giants were thrashed by 89 points by Richmond in the 2019 grand final, and said the experience of dealing with the hype would help the Dogs.
"It would definitely help going into a second grand final. The build up is pretty big, your phone is going off a lot and you can drain yourself before the start of the game a little bit," he said.
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