The Western Bulldogs will be looking to emulate their feat of 1955 when they take on Collingwood in the opening AFL home and away round at the MCG next Friday.

The Bulldogs will kick off their premiership defence with an away match against the Magpies, just as they did in 1955. 

And while the venue will be different this time around, the Bulldogs will be hoping the result is the same, the Dogs winning their first match of the 1955 season by 56 points at Victoria Park.

Collingwood started that match well to lead by five points at the first break, but the Bulldogs kicked 13 goals to four after quarter time to win easily, with premiership hero Jack Collins - who had kicked seven goals in the Grand Final the year before - bagging eight first-round majors.

The Bulldogs' overall record against Collingwood in round 1 is not great, the Dogs having won just two of nine season openers against the Pies. But there's a good omen for next Friday's match. The two sides have met twice in Round One where one of the teams has the been the reigning premier, and the titleholder has won both times, Collingwood defeating the Bulldogs in Round One, 1991, having won the flag in 1990.

In 92 seasons since joining the league in 1925, the Bulldogs have had greatest opening round success against Carlton and Hawthorn, having played each of those sides three times for three wins. The Bulldogs also have a good opening round record against Richmond, with eight wins from 11 attempts, including a 115-point thrashing of the Tigers in 2006.

Only once have the Western Bulldogs played in an opening round draw. The Bulldogs finished locked on 77 points with Geelong at Kardinia Park in the first round of 1957.

The Bulldogs are yet to meet Port Adelaide, Gold Coast or GWS in a first round fixture.