The Saints had finished 6th and toppled Collingwood in the Elimination Final, while the Dogs were thrashed by minor premier Geelong and were on the verge of a straight sets exit from the finals. The Bulldogs shot to an early lead in the Semi Final, booting five goals to one to lead by 27 points at quarter time, and the lead stretched out to 37 by half time. The Dogs had one foot in the preliminary final when a dominant third term saw them 55 points to the good with a quarter to play, before they eased off to eventually triumph by 29 points.