The Western Bulldogs are through to the second week of the AFL finals after a hard-fought 49-point win over Essendon in the Elimination Final at UTAS Stadium.

The Bulldogs put together a powerful second half performance in a greasy, tough game of finals football, led by their much-vaunted midfield group.

The margin was just three points at half time, but the Dogs produced a brilliant 60-minute patch after that, kicking eight straight goals and keeping the Bombers goalless.

00:50

Team song: Western Bulldogs

Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their elimination final win

The win was the Bulldogs first in the post-season since 2016 and snapped a three-game losing streak to finish the home-and-away season.

Livewire small forward Cody Weightman was instrumental in the victory, booting a game-high four goals, while Aaron Naughton kicked three.

Two of Weightman’s goals came early in the third quarter, as the Bulldogs lifted a gear and took control of the contest.

Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore were outstanding in the engine room, collecting 36 and 35 disposals respectively.

00:47

Weightman kicks two in the third

Cody Weightman continues to provide goals for the Dogs with two goals in third term

Along with Marcus Bontempelli (23 touches and eight inside 50s), Adam Treloar (28 possessions) and Lachie Hunter (25 disposals), the Bulldogs won the clearances (26-17) and contested possessions (102-68) after the main break to give the team a 32-21 advantage in forward entries.

The Dogs’ defence stood up brilliantly, conceding just four goals for the game and consistently repelling Essendon attacking forays.

The Bulldogs swung a double change before the game, with Zaine Cordy’s illness giving Ryan Gardner an opportunity, while Josh Schache was included in the 22 in place of Jason Johannisen, who was named as the medical sub.

Schache played his part, kicking two crucial goals from 12 disposals and an equal team-high five marks.

07:26

Match Highlights | Bulldogs v Bombers

Check out all the highlights from the Elimination Final against the Bombers on Sunday in Tasmania.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             2.1   5.4   8.5   13.7 (85)
ESSENDON                                1.4   4.7   4.10   4.12 (36)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 4, Naughton 3, Schache 2, Hannan 2, Vandermeer, Smith
Essendon: Stringer 2, Smith, Parish

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Liberatore, Weightman, Bontempelli, Naughton, Smith
Essendon: Parish, Draper, Merrett, Ridley, Heppell

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Zaine Cordy (illness) replaced in selected side by Ryan Gardner
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jason Johannisen (unused)
Essendon: Nik Cox (unused)

Crowd: 9,760 at University of Tasmania Stadium