After a first-up finals loss to Golden Square last week, the Bulldogs were on their last chance against Kangaroo Flat.
They responded and led from start to finish in the 51-38 win.
Bulldogs coach Guy Keane said the match was closer than what the scoreboard reflected.
“We were up all game and put ourselves in a winning position, but you never know in finals,” he said.
“We had to keep working and make sure we converted our centre passes and made the most of the turnovers.”
Keane said the side had a much better work rate than it did in the first week of the finals.
He said defensively the team was strong across the whole court, all game.
“We put Kangaroo Flat under pressure all day and when we had the ball were able to be patient.
“At times we didn’t flow in attack, but we kept patient and our work around the edge of the circle was the difference.”
Ella Bertacchini again stood out in goals for the Bulldogs with not just her shooting, but also her defence. At the other end of the court, Holly Burnip stood strong.
The Bulldogs now face Golden Square in the preliminary final, after they lost to Sandhurst 61-52 in their semi-final.
Sandhurst awaits the winner in the grand final.
“Hopefully we learnt a lot from the qualifying final and we’ll be looking to make sure we play with a higher work rate in both attack and defence,” Keane said.
