The two rivals will go head-to-head in Saturday’s decider at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve.
The Bulldogs booked their ticket into the big dance with a gritty 29-point win over Katunga in Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Swans challenged Strathmerton early in the piece, but a six-goal second-half ensured the Bulldogs skipped through into their first grand final since 2019.
It will be a replay of that 2019 decider — one where the Doggies walked away on top.
A talented Bombers outfit, one that has lost two matches in two seasons, stands in the way of Strathy co-coach Tim Bramwich hoisting aloft the silverware.
But Bramwich is not fazed by the impressive record Waaia has built during the past 12 months.
His charges are not here to make up the numbers.
“We’re all excited and we’re good to go, it’s always a good week to be a part of,” Bramwich said.
“Waaia have only lost two games in two years, they’ve been the benchmark side ... you have got to go in confident though, otherwise there is no point rocking up.
“We go in with confidence and we know that if we get 22 contributors it will go a long way.
“Hopefully we get a big crowd, we’re really excited to be able to play a grand final at our home.”
Bramwich highlighted Waaia’s star ruck Ash Holland as one player to keep an eye on in the decider.
However, he did mention the Bombers had plenty of other players that could also cause headaches.
Strathy star midfielder Jake Ellery claimed the Pearce Medal on Monday night, ahead of runner-up Holland, and he will be important in the centre and around stoppages for the Dogs.
Bramwich touched on the importance of being “dynamic” and “unpredictable” up forward and he pointed towards Darcy McCormack, Darcy Robinson and league goal-kicking winner Tim Looby spearheading the attack.
The Bulldogs’ mentor also stressed his side was at its best when it “spread the roles” and he hoped for another high number of contributors on Saturday.
“Waaia are fairly even across the board, we have to be able to match them with 22 contributors,” Bramwich said.
“I know they talk about Holland, but their midfield run hard and are really strong. Jake obviously won the league medal on Monday night and Ash was runner-up, but I think there’s more to both teams than those two.
“(We’re) going to need even contribution ... we know we have to be at our best to beat them.”
11°C