The preliminary final hung on a knife-edge at three quarter-time after the Grasshoppers had turned a 21-point deficit during the third term into a three-point advantage at the last change.

The Grasshoppers had the momentum and the Bulldogs were in danger of becoming the first team since Elmore in 2003 to finish on top of the ladder, but not make a grand final.

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However, the Bulldogs’ fighting qualities rose to the fore in the final term and in what is a strong way in which to go into a grand final, they were tested, absorbed the challenge and then finished the game in dominant fashion to defeat the Grasshoppers 18.19 (127) to 13.10 (88) at Toolleen.

Arguably the most relieved of the Bulldogs after the win was forward Darcy Richards, and it was evident in the way in which he threw his arms in the air after the final siren.

A week earlier in the second semi-final against Leitchville-Gunbower Richards had missed a set-shot after the siren that would have put the Bulldogs straight through to the grand final, but whatever disappointment he felt after last week provided the impetus for a strong response.

Richards was one of the Bulldogs’ best players – a strong marking presence all game, who kicked three goals, including North Bendigo’s first of the match.

North Bendigo’s 39-point victory sets up a fourth-consecutive grand final between the Bulldogs and rivals Leitchville-Gunbower at Huntly next Saturday.

The pattern of the game was one where the Bulldogs were able to constantly keep themselves with a handy buffer, but weren’t able to shake off the persistent Grasshoppers.

Twice during the second quarter the Bulldogs led by 20 points, but the Grasshoppers were able to answer both times with goals.

And again late in the term when the Bulldogs’ lead got out to 24 points a goal to Colbinabbin’s Will Lowe from a 50m penalty brought the Grasshoppers back within 18 points to keep them within striking distance at half-time.

Again in the third quarter the Grasshoppers closed within 14 points after a goal to Pat O’Brien, but the Bulldogs answered when Jordan Ford marked in the goal square and kicked his first.

However, Ford’s would be the Bulldogs’ only goal of the quarter as the tide started to turn Colbinabbin’s way as the Grasshoppers lifted their work-rate and looked to have more run in their legs.

Four consecutive goals through Elliot Bowen, Hadleigh Sirett, Alex Van Ruiswyk – from another 50m penalty – and Ryan Hon gave the Grasshoppers the lead heading into three quarter-time.

However, the hard work to fight their way back into the contest seemingly took its toll on the Grasshoppers, who were unable to sustain their intensity in the final term as the Bulldogs regained control.

The last quarter was played almost exclusively in the Bulldogs’ front half, which was reflected in their 14 scoring shots (7.7) to two (1.1).

The Bulldogs landed a pair of early blows on the Grasshoppers with the first two goals of the final quarter to Ford and Storm Giri in the opening six minutes.

Five consecutive behinds followed and to that stage the Bulldogs had kicked 3.12 in the second half as what had been a half-time score of 10.6 had become 13.18.

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However, Ford took the wind out of the Grasshoppers’ sails when he converted a 45m shot on the flank for his third goal of the second half.

North Bendigo’s lead ballooned out to as many 45 points, before Colbinabbin’s only goal of the quarter came through Xavier Walsh after the final siren.

“We knew it was going to be a tough day and Colbo really had their tails up at three quarter-time,” North Bendigo coach Matt Dillon said.

“Colbo hadn’t allowed us to play the footy we wanted to and that was full credit to them. 

“But in that last quarter we really willed ourselves to every contest and were able to get the momentum back our way.”

The Bulldogs, who won the preliminary final for the fourth year in a row, had seven multiple goalkickers – Ford (three), Zach Alford (three), Richards (three), Jeremy Mills (two), Sean Christopher (two), Giri (two) and Tyson Findlay (two).

Ruckman Troy Kelm kickstarted the Bulldogs’ dominant last term in the middle and was also a key influence around the ground with some telling marks as usual.

Brodie Thomson, who held in-form Colbinabbin key forward Elliot Bowen to one goal, Mills, whose penetrating kicking was a standout, Ford, the busy Ben Knight through the midfield and Richards were also in the Bulldogs’ best, while Aarryn Craig set up plenty of attack from the back half.

The Grasshoppers were best served by two of their hard-working midfielders in Walsh and Sam Vale, skipper David Price, and ruckman Sirett, who had an entertaining battle with Kelm.

Van Ruiswyk and tall forward Michael Battista, who was lively early, kicked two goals apiece.

“We worked really hard during the third quarter to get back into the game and give ourselves an opportunity, but we probably spent all our petrol tickets in doing so,” Colbinabbin coach Nick Knight said.

The Grasshoppers – who remain without a grand final appearance since 2009 – were one rotation down from early in the second quarter after key defender Damien Carmody, who had been playing on Richards, hurt his medial.

The loss signals the end of the coaching tenure for Knight, who is standing down after three seasons. He finishes with a 36-19 record from 55 games.

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