Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter is encouraging his teammates to “be themselves” in the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final, as the team prepares to contest a second premiership in five years.

Hunter is one of nine available Bulldogs remaining from the drought-breaking 2016 flag, and said while the lead-up this time around has differed, having that experience provides some relief.

“It gives you a little bit of comfort that you know what’s coming, but at the same time most of the elements are different,” he told media on Wednesday morning.

“The team is different, the players are different, the game styles are different – so I suppose that little bit of experience might give you a little bit of comfort, but that’s about it.

“(It’s important) just to be yourself – just backing in what we’ve always done to get ourselves here.

“We don’t need to do anything different I suppose. I think some people can try and over-perform or do things differently, but just stick to what you know.

The 26-year-old said he expects Melbourne to hold a similar belief.

“I think both teams will be pretty confident going into the game – both teams will back in their styles,” Hunter said.

“You’re not going to change how you’ve gone about it the whole year. You obviously respect the opposition’s game, but at the same time you back what you’ve done all year.

“Once it gets to ground we really back our midfielders in as well – they’ve had a really good year, but it will be two of the best (midfields) going at it in there, so it will be good to watch.”