As the Bulldogs head into their fourth V/AFL Grand Final, and in search of a third premiership, a glance back through their previous premiership seasons — 1954 and 2016 — reveals several striking parallels, many of which involve Geelong:

• In mid-June this year, the Bulldogs travelled to Kardinia Park to take on Geelong, but lost a thriller when the Cats kicked the last goal of the match. A look back to 1954, the year of Footscray's first premiership, shows that the Dogs also travelled to Kardinia Park in mid-June, only to lose a thriller at the hands of Geelong, as a result of the Cats kicking the last goal of the match.
• In that same year, 1954, the Bulldogs went into Round 11 on top of the ladder, but lost to Collingwood, who claimed top place as a result. The Dogs were also on top heading into Round 11 this year, only to lose to Melbourne, who took over top place as a result.
• This year's loss to Geelong came on June 18. In 2016, the Bulldogs were also defeated by Geelong on June 18.
• In both 1954 and 2021, the Dogs had a 49-point win over Essendon.
• The Bulldogs will face Melbourne in this year's Grand Final, after the Demons saw off Geelong in a preliminary final. This is exactly the sequence of events that culminated in the two clubs' Grand Final meeting in 1954.
• The Dogs' Grand Final opponent in 2016 was Sydney, and the Swans, too, made their way to the big dance by defeating Geelong in a preliminary final.

While Bulldogs' fans looking for positive omens will welcome these fun facts, the players themselves will be looking to forge a new premiership chapter in Western Bulldogs history when they take on the Demons at Optus Stadium on Saturday week.