Nirranda prepares for grand final rematch after defeating Panmure

The Blues scored a thrilling 12.14 (86) to 11.8 (74) win against Panmure at Panmure on Saturday.

The Bulldogs hit the lead late in the final quarter after trailing by 11 points at the final break.

A brilliant Jason Lee crumbing snap in the dying stages put the Blues back in front and they added another major before the final siren.

"I just remember Jordy Payne flew for it and he made a great contest and I was lucky enough the footy came off the pack and landed in my hands," Lee said.

"I just got it on the boot and thank God it went through."

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Nirranda coach Brayden Harkness praised his team for grinding out the win.

"We knew they were going to be there all day and it was just stick at it, stick at it, and we knew our class would eventually show," he said.

The Blues mentor felt it important to go into the Power clash with another win under the belt.

"It's a big difference potentially being two and one going up against Kolora-Noorat versus three and zero. It's certainly a much better spot for us to be in and we're very happy to be three and zero," he said.

The Blues had to find other avenues to goal as Nick Couch, who kicked nine goals in round two, was a late withdrawal.

Harkness said Couch hurt his back in the win against Allansford.

The Blues still found a way with captain James Willsher kicking four goals and a spread of others contributing.

Panmure had its first loss for the season after blowing Dennington and Old Collegians off the park in the opening two rounds.

Recruit Daniel Roache was outstanding and as assistant coach Matt Colbert noted "he went forward in that last quarter and nearly won us the game".

Roache, who was in the Bulldogs' best, botted three goals and was deadly from his long-range set shots.

Athletic youngster Jacob Moloney, who played a variety of positions, went into the ruck to allow Roache to roam forward.

Colbert felt Nirranda's players positioned themselves better in the final minutes.

"I think they found space a couple of times, got out the back and hit their forwards up well," he said.

"It was probably just us getting sucked in, in the last five minutes, and those guys sitting out and waiting for it to get on the outside."

Colbert said the Bulldogs got through without injuries.

He said Panmure would take plenty of lessons from the contest.

"It was really good to get a chance to play a stronger team in Nirranda and see where we are at," he said.

"We're not far off."

The Bulldogs have a big month of footy with South Rovers, Merrivale and Kolora-Noorat in the coming rounds.

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