The Bulldogs haven’t made finals since 2009 but they showed they are on the right track with their ninth win of the season to send the Magpies crashing from the top five.

The 10.8 (68) to 10.7 (67) victory sees the Bulldogs finish sixth – just nine per cent behind Wodonga Raiders, who advanced to the post-season thanks to their arch rivals.

Matt Seiter and Brett Doswell were sensational for the Bulldogs, who withstood a late Magpies charge to send the retiring Jarrod Twitt out a winner.

The Bulldogs controlled proceedings for much of the day and looked to have the match in their grasp when Doswell goaled after the three-quarter-time siren to put them 18 points clear.

But, despite being held scoreless in the last quarter, the Bulldogs held on for dear life against the Magpies, who paid the price for kicking 2.5 in the final term in a pulsating finish to the match.

Harding was thrilled with the victory but said it was “bitter-sweet” to just miss out on finals.

“It was real pressure stuff but to our credit, 12 months ago we probably would have lost that but we stayed structured, we stayed organised and we stayed composed,” Harding said.

“It was hard work but it typifies what we’re about – we dug in and got it done.

“It was great to do that in Twitty’s last game but it was just as important to do it in Harry Jones’ first game.

“It proves to our supporters and our members and all these people that put so much time in that we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s bitter-sweet. We spoke about at the start of the year what we wanted to achieve and we thought if were 50-50, as in 9-9, we might have snuck in. We found nine wins but we are just short.

“Because we finished so well, I think we can turn up with some real confidence and some real excitement to get the work done (next season).”

Wangaratta coach Brendan Cairns was left to rue what might have been after the Magpies let slip a golden opportunity to play finals for the first time since 2011.

The Magpies have beaten and drawn third-placed Yarrawonga and downed the finals-bound Raiders on both occasions this season but losses to North Albury and Wangaratta Rovers proved costly in the wash-up.

Michael Newton kicked five goals on Saturday to take his season tally to 42 from just nine matches and if he can stay fit next season, the Magpies will be well-placed to challenge for finals.

“It definitely hurts but you need to use it as motivation to get better over the summer,” Cairns said.

“At the end of the day we’ve finished seventh, last year we finished seventh, but this year I definitely think we’ve improved.”