Returning to the finals for the first time since 2010, a brave Bulldogs side fought hard in their elimination final clash with Adelaide.

From 14th place in season 2014 to a September showing under the lights of the MCG, it was a dream run for first-year coach Luke Beveridge.

While the lead changed several times throughout, the match looked to be swinging in the Dogs favour with four of the first five goals of the final term, but heroics from the Crows meant it wasn’t the fairytale finish the Dogs were after.

Luke Dahlhaus and Tory Dickson stood up under finals pressure, while Marcus Bontempelli picked up 24 possessions and seven clearances.

Beveridge was typically eloquent following the match, praising the playing group for their efforts.

"I just said to the players – they’re obviously extremely disappointed – just to walk out with their heads held high for everything that they've done for our footy club and how far they've come.
 
"But I'd like to say well done to the Crows. Obviously they've been through a hell of a lot of adversity this year and it was quite an amazing game in the end, but they held on and they withstood everything we threw at them and they've had an amazingly creditable year.
 
"I think they kicked 10 in a row from set shots at one point and the contrast with ours was quite significant. It does hurt you but to our credit we just kept coming, we didn't drop our bundle and that shows a fair bit of mental strength and I'm unbelievably proud of them."