Bulldogs on track for worst premiership hangover in history

THE Western Bulldogs are on track to become the first AFL club this century to miss the finals in successive seasons immediately after winning a flag.

Not since Adelaide slumped to 13th and 11th off the back of their 1997 and 1998 triumphs under Malcolm Blight has there been such a dramatic drop-off.

Saturday’s 49-point belting by red-hot Melbourne left the Dogs rooted in 14th spot with a win-loss record of 4-7 and a miserable percentage of 75.2.

Just as tellingly, their only four wins to date this year have come against Essendon, Carlton, Gold Coast and Brisbane — four teams unlikely to feature in playoff action.

Such was the emotion surrounding the Bulldogs’ fairy- tale in 2016 — only the second in club history and the first since 1954 — that an emotional let-down the following year was hardly surprising.

An 11-11 record in 2017 left the club 10th, a win shy of the top eight.

Not great by any means but hardly disastrous , especially as they were widely expected to bounce back in 2018.

But the opposite has happened, their win-loss tally at 15-18.

The only worse record this century belongs to the Hawks team who won only 14 of their next 33 after shocking red-hot favourites Geelong to win the 2008 title.

History would show that was a blip rather than a disturbing trend. AAP