Trailing at each change of ends, the signs didn't appear ominous in the early stages of the final term for the Dogs. Cowwarr was the first to go forward and score to extend their lead out to one of the biggest of the match 11 points.

The Saints had a number of opportunities to build on the lead but it was the Dogs key play makers which stepped up on the big stage. Coach Nick Hider making his presence felt in the final 20 minutes of the match, Jake Schuback created play on the ball while the sides backline led by captain Beau Wilson withstood the Saints forward pressure to ensure that the Dogs booked a berth in the season's penultimate contest.

Smarting after dropping their Semi Final clash last Saturday the Dogs marked their intentions late in the match to overrun the Saints with late goals to Hider and Rod McGinness extending the margin out to 16 points, 13.14 (92) to 11.10 (76).

Schuback kicked four goals with Stefan Mapleson returning from injury to finish with three. The Dogs struggled at times to break the competitions best backline of Lee Cooper, Kevin Hood, Brett McMaster, Scott Anderson and Cory Bannister as they out muscled the Dogs potent forward line at bay.

Creating run from half back the Saints back six were sublime in setting up play down field with Hoods calculated running from half back an added bonus for setting up the Saints tall timber forward line.

While the Saints backline was the backbone to their challenge, the sides dangerous targets in attack Chris Stasinowsky, Brad McBride and David Ivey who run rampant at will against Churchill where relatively kept in check by a backline who were left bruised by their performance in the second semi final.

Playing from behind, Wilson was superb in spoiling the contest with an old fashioned punch from behind, which time and time again saw the high flying Saints forwards out of the contest. Ably supported by Jesse Broadbent, Abe Schuback and Carl Turner, Wilson was the linchpin which kept the reigning premiers in the contest on a number of occasions.

Star Dogs ruckman Matt Lutze made a welcome return to the field, and was backed up strongly by McGuiness who also returned after a length of time on the sidelines. Hider had a big game on the back of a stellar two months, Mapleson was damaging running through the middle of the ground, with Brad McKay amassing possessions at will as he worked hard to tear apart the Saints midfield brigade.

But it was far from one way traffic early with Cowwarr led by best on ground Ben Morrow, matching the flag favourites in all aspects of the game.

Consecutive majors to the Saints, was responded by City's Jake Milham quickly followed by Justin McLay who took a strong grab in front of defenders Bannister and Hood.

Momentum quickly swung the way of the Dogs with Hider combining with Ben Chivers who broke clear of defender McMaster, Chivers shot at goal falling short of the line.

Slowing drawing forward, Reece Busse and Pat Tainsh combined in the Saints forward line with Tainsh putting the underdog's one point in front at the first change.

The Saints continued were they left off in the first term, McBride registering his first major as the Saints worked hard to contain the ball in their forward half.

Finessing the ball in their forward 50 for little return the Dogs swooped on the loose ball to goal, with scores locked.

Stasinowsky's long kick from the 50 metre mark didn't travel the distance however landed in the arms of league best and fairest Luke Cooper who registered one of his three for the match.

Eight majors were scored for the term, Cowwarr building on their quarter time lead to extend the lead to 11 points at the main break.

Majors to Shane Galea, Luke Cooper, Jordon Bourke and an impressive burst through the middle of the ground by Morrow highlights of the term as the Saints quickly grew in confidence.

The arm wrestle continued in the second half of the contest, Schuback quickly become the X factor in the premiership term, two majors for the term handed the Dogs the lead before Ivey settled the Saints to trail by a point.

City youngster Tom Bowman ran into an open goal from 10 metres out to hit the post, with the Saints quick to run the ball through the middle of the ground Bourke running into an open space to chip kick over the top of the City defenders to find Ivey.

Taking a four point lead into the final huddle, in front of the biggest crowd to attend a North Gippsland League final other than the grand final the Saints appeared in the box seat.

Allowing the Saints to rebound defence with ease, and constantly outnumbered to the contest, the Dogs needed to find their form in the closing stages to overrun the Saints.

And that is exactly what they did a 10 minute purple patch which was dominated by Hider, Schuback and Mapleson saw the Dogs regain the lead and not look back as they now focus their attentions on their premiership defence in seven days.

In the RESERVES Glengarry recorded a 17 point victory to advance to the Grand Final to meet minor premiers and their Semi Final opponents Heyfield.

Glengarry THRIDS joined the clubs Senior and Reserve sides following their upset victory over minor premiers and last year's grand finalists Sale City, winning 12.8 (80) to 10.9 (69).

By Lauren Carey