The Wollongong Bulldogs are grand final bound in 2020 after surviving a huge scare against Kiama on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dogs booked their spot in the Men's Premier Division decider with a 9.7 (61) to 8.8 (56) victory at Keira Oval. In a see-sawing battle, the home side mustered a late goal to claim a thrilling win.
"We're rapt. It was good to get through, it was a tough game. There was not much in it all day," Bulldogs coach Aidan Leishman said.
"They were winning at half time, and then we were up by five points at three-quarter time. They then kicked the first goal to go in front. It then went goal for goal, and we we kicked the last two to win.
"They threw everything at us, it was quite a physical contest but really, contested around the ball. In a lot of regards, we were probably lucky to get away with it. The wind didn't really help our game style, our run and carry. It was really swirly and hard to get a hold of the footy, it was blowing everywhere. To the boys' credit, they really stuck to what we wanted to execute when we made some adjustments and we were able to get away with the win."
While disappointed to end their 2020 campaign, Power coach Rod Richards said the Bulldogs deserved credit for the win.
"It was a pretty good game of footy. Both teams had their chances, they took one more than us. And that was probably it," he said.
"I think we were below our best, but that's finals footy. They were good enough in the end. They were certainly up for the challenge and they're a pretty good side, as disappointing as it was to lose.
"They had a few goals overturned by not knowing if it was a point or not which could have gone either way. So they were probably the winner, whatever the result was going to be. They would have been stiff to lose.
"Like every team other team that makes the top four, you don't play to get beaten in the semi's. You want to at least enter the big show. It is exactly what it is, and we all have to look forward to next year."
The Bulldogs will now meet Figtree in the grand final at North Dalton Park on October 10. The Roos advanced to the decider with a thumping win over the Lions in Saturday's other semi-final.
"I think 'Figgy' have been the best side all year," Leishman said.
"We've played them once at their ground and we weren't far off them for three quarters. We learnt from there and will try adjust to play to our strengths against them, and try come away with something to walk away with the victory. But they're a well drilled side and they've got a lot of good players.
"I think it's probably going to come down to the bottom six from each side. If a few of our young kids can step up and play well like they did today, then we're in with a good shot. I think if we have good conditions, both sides will put on a show because we play a similar game of high scoring, and run and carry."