If the Western Bulldogs win the Grand Final against Melbourne, it will go down as one of the game's greatest premiership triumphs, according to former St Kilda captain Aaron Hamill.
The Bulldogs and Demons square off in the AFL's decider at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with both teams having vastly different roads to the final match.
Melbourne's players should be fresh after only playing two matches since August 21, having secured a week off following their qualifying final victory against Brisbane in addition to the week's break before the Grand Final.
However, the Bulldogs have been forced to fly all around Australia during the finals series, starting in Launceston for the elimination final against Essendon, before flying to Brisbane for the semi-final against the Lions.
Luke Beveridge's team were then forced to head from Brisbane to Adelaide, via Perth, for the preliminary final against Port Adelaide.
After securing their spot in the Grand Final, the Bulldogs then flew to Perth, where they had to quarantine for a week before beginning their preparations for the blockbuster decider outside of the hotel.
Hamill believes the circumstances and adversity the Bulldogs have overcome would make any premiership triumph one of the greatest seen.
"I’d like the Bulldogs to win - in terms of how they have gone about it the last four weeks," Hamill told Sporting News.
"If they win it this year, it will be the best flag, in terms of circumstance, that has been won, in my opinion.
"What they have been able to do with their gruelling travel schedule. How they have been able to do it. It will be incredible if the Dogs get up. I’m going for the Doggies."
But despite wanting the Bulldogs to win, Hamill feels that it looks like Melbourne's time to break their 57-year premiership drought - but their lack of match preparation compared to their opposition could count against them.
"But it just feels like Melbourne’s time, doesn’t it?" he said.
"They have played two games in 28 days [by the time the Grand Final is on]. They will be a little wary of that and of how much work they get into the players.
"There is no doubt the Dogs are match hardened and match fit. That’s another reason why I like the Dogs - their ability to keep backing up every week.
"I’m going for the Dogs but my head is telling me the Demons given what they have done throughout the year."
