THE SEASONED Sydney Swans will face an irrepressible Western Bulldogs team that is riding a wave of momentum and sentimental favouritism in the 2016 AFL Grand Final.

The blossoming Bulldogs, who have won three successive finals after entering each clash as underdogs, are desperate to end the longest active premiership drought of 62 years in their first Grand Final appearance since 1961. 

GWS v Western Bulldogs: Full match coverage

After earning the title of the best team in Victoria, the Dogs are also the first team in history to make the Grand Final after finishing seventh and a win over the Swans would trump Adelaide's 1998 effort to win the flag from fifth. 

A long-awaited second Dogs flag would continue a fairytale run under second-year coach Luke Beveridge, who took the helm when the club was in turmoil at the end of 2014 after the loss of captain Ryan Griffen (to Greater Western Sydney) and coach Brendan McCartney. 

The party pooper might be the Sydney Swans, who will enter their fifth Grand Final in 12 seasons and will be aiming for a third flag in that period, and a second under John Longmire. 

Geelong v Sydney Swans: Full match coverage

The minor premier was completely outmuscled and outplayed by cross-town rival Greater Western Sydney in their qualifying final at ANZ Stadium – an effort that embarrassed the proud 'Bloods' – but haven't put a foot wrong since in fast-starting wins over Adelaide and Geelong.

The Bulldogs have turned the tables on the Swans in recent times. From 2011-2014, Sydney won six in a row, the last five by an average of 62 points. But their past two meetings, both at the SCG (in round five, 2015, and round 15 this year), resulted in stirring four-point Dogs' triumphs.

The Swans have never beaten the Dogs at the MCG. 

They have met on the hallowed turf just three times, each of which were knockout finals won by the Bulldogs (in 1997, 2008 and 2010).