That’s the verdict of coach Lisa Arundell after Old Collegians booked their berth in the Warrnambool and District league A grade netball grand final.

The Warriors needed a late burst of goals to see off a gallant Dennington 38-33 in the second semi-final at Allansford Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The result means they will feature in a third-consecutive decider and have every chance of avenging the heartbreak of last season.

Arundell, who will step down at the end of 2015, said earning direct progression to the biggest match of the season could prove invaluable for her side.

“When it’s all said and done, yes,” she said.

“It’s debatable whether a week off is a pro or a con but when you reflect on it tonight, you’d rather know you’re in and not have to play that extra game and come up against a quality opponent.”

The result could have been far different for the Warriors had they not held their nerve in the last quarter.

Dennington netted twice late to take a 25-24 lead into three-quarter-time and scores were level 31-31 midway through the final term.

But a 5-0 run, highlighted by intercepts from Lauren Aitchison and Sophie Ballinger and a crucial turnover against the Dogs for breaking at the centre pass, changed the match.

“That’s pretty much how the whole game went. We got a couple of mini breaks, they got one, but neither team went on with it,” Arundell said.

“We got that mini break at the end and did go on with it and managed to get five goals up with three-and-a-half, four minutes to go. Luckily we managed to steady and hold onto it.”

Arundell credited the efforts of shooter Steph Townsend, who dropped 29 goals to lead all scorers.

Goal keeper Chloe Arnott, who played on Katie Burt and Lana Keane, was also among the Warriors’ best, as was centre Rachel Alderson.

Goal keeper Kristie Bolden, Keane and centre Victoria Davies led the way for the Dogs.

Arundell said the Warriors could not expect to produce a similar performance in the grand final and emerge with the spoils.

“Certain things I was hammering home to the girls all day, those last five minutes is when everything clicked for us, we had that lightbulb moment, okay this is what we should’ve been doing the whole game,” she said.

“We have got improvements to make, we have got areas we need to address and we’ll do that. I hope there’s far better to come.”