Stung by its 26-point loss to Colbinabbin in the second semi-final a week earlier, the Bulldogs came out firing and put the result beyond doubt by midway through the second quarter.

Mounts remained competitive until three quarter-time, but the final term was a whitewash as the Dogs added 6.2 to 0.2 to win 24.12 (156) to 10.6 (66).

"A few egos were bruised after the loss to Colbo and we wanted to reply like a good side,'' North Bendigo coach Matt Dillon said.

"We were really pleased with the effort. We were able to control the game. Last week we lost control of the game, but this week once we got the footy we were able to control the ball better.

"I think the bigger ground suits us. Our disposal against Colbo was the worst it's been, so we had a focus this week not to rush when we had the ball.

"We wanted to absorb the pressure and use the ball a bit better and I thought we did that."

The ball use and stoppage dominance gave the North Bendigo forwards plenty of room to move in.

Zac Alford has been one of North's best players all season, but on Saturday he took his game to another level.

Alford relished the opportunity to split his time between the midfield and half-forward and he set the Dogs up with a brilliant first half.

Alford finished with five goals in a best on ground performance, while skipper Jarrod Findlay wasn't far behind with a six-goal haul.

For someone that has had such a decorated career in the HDFNL, it was hard to fathom why Findlay was by himself so often throughout the game.

The Dogs had 11 individual goalkickers and not one poor player on the day.

After playing two "grand finals" in elimination games against White Hills and LBU the previous two weeks, Mounts couldn't carry that momentum into the preliminary final.

"They were too good,'' Mounts coach Darren Walsh said.

"They were too strong physically and mentally and they were too experienced for us.

"The boys have given their all this season and got a taste of it. We need to recruit a few players and get better.

"I'm rapt with our season, but at the same time I'm realistic about where we sit. You can't go from bottom to top in two years, it takes time. We've gained a lot from our experience this year and we'll be better for it next year.

"The next layer of learning for our game is the defensive side of the game. We need to work on how we position and being proactive."

Walsh said the majority of Mounts' senior players - including star forward Ben Weightman - had indicated they would return to the club in 2020.

While Mounts start to look forward to next season, the Bulldogs will prepare for a crack at Colbinabbin in next Saturday's grand final at Huntly.

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