Can Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Melbourne end losing streaks this weekend?

CAN the Bulldogs snap a long run of outs at Kardinia Park? Will St Kilda finally end years of pain against Sydney? It’s likely to happen if this year is anything to go by.

IS this the year of breaking losing streaks in the AFL?

Several droughts have ended in 2017 and more could fall this weekend.

Bookmakers are confident the Western Bulldogs can snap a long run of outs against Geelong and at Kardinia Park, that St Kilda and Collingwood can overcome their recent winless records against Sydney and Hawthorn, and Melbourne can end an 11-year dry spell against North Melbourne.

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The Bulldogs haven’t beaten Geelong since the 2009 qualifying final — a run of 10 consecutive defeats — and they are 0-7 at the Cattery dating all the way back to Round 2, 2005.

Interestingly, the Dogs are favourites to break their hoodoo at the Geelong fortress, where the Cats have won 44 of their last 50 games.

They went agonisingly close in Round 19 last year at Simonds Stadium before their hopes were wrecked by injuries.

It would be just the third time in 12 years Geelong will start outsiders at its home ground — the most recent was in Round 23, 2015 against Adelaide in Patrick Dangerfield’s last game as a Crow (Geelong won by 39 points), and in Round 4 the same season against North Melbourne, which it lost by 16 points.

Marcus Bontempelli is tackled by Joel Selwood last year at Simonds Satdium. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda made a statement two weeks ago beating Greater Western Sydney and gets the chance to make another tomorrow night against Sydney.

This game will reveal just how far the Saints have come in the past 12 months and whether they are legitimate flag contenders in 2017.

Not only has St Kilda lost it last six against the Swans, it has been smashed in the past three by 70, 97 and 71 points.

They’ve won just one in nine against Sydney, which was in Round 9, 2012.

Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt walk off Etihad Stadium last year after a big loss to Sydney. Picture: George Salpigtidis

In recent seasons, few teams, if any, can boast a positive record against Hawthorn, but Collingwood has gone 0-9 against the Hawks since the 2011 preliminary final.

The Magpies can pull one back on them tomorrow.

On Sunday, Melbourne gets its best chance to eliminate years of agony against North Melbourne that stretches back 15 games.

The last Demons side to knock off the Kangaroos in Round 20, 2006 featured Adam Yze, Jeff White, Travis Johnstone and Aaron Davey.

Melbourne should not be burdened by history after earlier claiming its first win against St Kilda in 15 attempts.

The Saints, meanwhile, also ended Hawthorn’s 19-game unbeaten run at Launceston in Round 6.

Also this season, Greater Western Sydney won its first game against Collingwood, Gold Coast broke its duck against Hawthorn, Port Adelaide won at the SCG for the first time in eight attempts.