Illabarook departed the scene last Sunday when it went down to Skipton by 52 points on its home ground in Smythesdale.

The Emus quickly stamped their authority on the game, leading at quarter time by 39 points.

Illabarook responded well in the second term with six goals to four, but still trailed by 26 points at the main break.

It was all or nothing for the Bulldogs in the third and unfortunately for them it was nothing.

Only one minor score in the third term proved costly as Skipton piled on seven goals to hold a match winning 68 points lead at the last change.

The result was beyond doubt, but that did not stop the Bulldogs from ending their season on a high.

Outscoring Skipton by 16 points was too little too late, as Skipton turned around its qualifying final form.

Coach Tim McKay booted six goals for Skipton, with four to Derek Dobson, including three opening term majors to help set up the victory.

Ryan Dunstan kicked four for Illabarook, but Ash Davidson again found his name in the umpire's book after a third term incident.

Skipton moves on to the preliminary final, where it takes on minor premier Rokewood-Corindhap after the Grasshoppers lost their first match of the year against Carngham-Linton last Saturday.

Carngham-Linton snuck away in third term, after just six points separated the teams at half time.

The Carngham Linton lead was still just 19 points at the final change, however up stepped Carngham-Linton joint coach Justin Porter.

With five goals to the last change, Porter took charge with four final term majors in a team inspiring performance.

Finishing with nine was the major difference between the two teams, as ruckman Matt Stasse once again in charge of the ruck duels against youngster Lachlan Liddicoat.

Rokewood-Corindhap stayed in contention with its straight kicking for goal, but 13 less shots on goal indicates the dominant mid-field the Saints had.

Coach James McNamee and Brett Augustine kicked four goals each, as the club needs to work on a few things in the lead up to Saturday's penultimate game.

The Grasshoppers could be without Glen Boyington too.

He must front the tribunal following an incident late in the opening term.

It will be Carngham-Linton's seventh straight grand final appearance, as it strives for three flags in a row.

The grand final this year moves back to the Learmonth oval, after the availability of both the Northern and Eastern Ovals were not assured.