Herald Sun

The Bulldogs are in the Grand Final.

We’ll say it again - the Bulldogs are in the bloody Grand Final.

Let’s smile about that. Let’s cheer and clap and hug and cry and truly believe in fairytales.

Who would’ve thought those pesky, scrappy and heart-pumping Bulldogs could not so much dismantle one of the most talented teams ever to play the game, but out tough and out run and out hustle the favourites on their home turf.

Football is not about talent, it’s about ticker and cracking in and playing every moment as if that very outcome will decide the game.

That’s how the Bulldogs play this game.

- Mark Robinson 

The Age

The Bulldogs beat the house. They beat the odds. They beat the system. They beat the Giants, these Davids. And they're in the grand final for the first time for 55 years. In their rooms afterwards, legends cried. One said he honestly thought he would not live to see this day.

Their jubilation at the final siren knew no bounds, on both sides of the fence. Beveridge's mind turned to the joyous caravanserai making their way back down the Hume Highway, but only momentarily.

The Dogs allowed themselves 15 minutes of back-slapping, then put their masks back on and started on grand final week. Before the lights were out at Spotless, they were on their way back to Melbourne.

- Greg Baum

AFL Media

The gutsy Bulldog has shown moments of quality in his short career, but while three knee reconstructions have constantly stalled his progression, the second half of Clay Smith's season has been outstanding.

The 23-year-old kicked four first half goals against the Giants, from 15 possessions, and finished the night with 26 touches, eight tackles, and placed plenty of pressure on the home side's defenders.

- Adam Curley