The Power won through to the grand final against Dennington with a 12. 11 (83) to 11. 11 (77) win over Panmure at the Reid Oval.

It was a cruel end to a stellar season for the big hearted Bulldogs, with Saturday’s game another example of their undeniable ability to not give up the fight.

Only a fortnight earlier the Power and the Bulldogs had squared off in the qualifying final, with Panmure coming from behind to win that game.

Saturday’s game unfolded in a similar pattern, with the Power taking the early running and a two-goal quarter-time lead.

The Bulldogs narrowed that margin early in the second quarter before the last three goals of the half from the Power gave them a 20-point lead at the main break.

The Bulldogs needed a spark and it came in the unlikely form of backman Paul Daley, who was moved forward with immediate results.

Daley kicked the first two goals of the third quarter and when Chris Bant slotted through his third of the day the Bulldogs had levelled the scores.

A clever soccer goal from the Power’s James Hicks restored the lead for the Power, with a four-point buffer their way at the last break.

The last quarter was set up for a classic finish and it was Daley who snatched the lead back for the Bulldogs early with a set shot from 40 metres.

The Power regained the lead through a goal to Sam Moloney and when David Corrigan snapped truly soon after it looked like game over.

But the Bulldogs don’t know how to give up and a quick reply by Simon Schrama kept them in the hunt.

A snap for a behind from Tom Wright at the 24 minute mark reduced the Power’s lead to a goal and a draw looked a possibility.

But the Power were able to remain cool under pressure and successfully kept control of the game’s final minutes to hold on for victory.

While Dennington is clear premiership favourite, Kolora-Noorat will go into the game in a better position than any other team this season.

The Power defeated the Dogs the last time the two met.

In round 12 the Power gave the Dogs their only loss of the season when they won by 37 points.

“That will be good for our confidence and the thing about that game is it is one of the few times during the year we had close to a full side in,” Kolora-Noorat coach Ben Kenna said.

“Over the last month we have got back to near full strength and having to play three finals so far has worked for us because it has given those players coming back a chance to run into form.”