They have claimed second spot on the ladder after defeating Waubra by two points at the weekend.

The win gives Daylesford the week off from the first week of finals, and sets up a clash against Hepburn in a fortnight to play off for a spot in the grand final.

Nick Sullivan was again one of Daylesford's best, stepping up at crucial points in the final term by taking many goal saving marks across the half-back line, while his attack on the ball was a highlight.

Scott Winduss was another who will have a well-earned week off, with his competitiveness around the ruck contests and his willingness to help his teammates shining through.

Daylesford can look to its first quarter as the period which won them the game.

The Bulldogs would only kick four goals for the game, with all goals coming in the first quarter.

It was the start Daylesford so desperately needed with the ball and ground getting heavier and heavier as the rain continued to fall.

Daylesford's midfield was the catalyst in the first quarter domination, with Luke and Joel Adams, Rob Rodgers and Clayton Scoble off the forward flank all having a hand in either kicking the goals or setting them up.

Daylesford had a 23-point advantage at the first change, but from there on in the game turned into one of the most enthralling battles of the season.

While skills weren't at their highest, no-one could fault either team's determination as they pushed and scrapped their way through the thick mud.

Waubra came back hard at Daylesford in the second term, holding the Bulldogs to just four behinds while kicking three goals themselves to reduce the margin to eight points at half-time.

Waubra was held scoreless in the third quarter thanks to the solid backline pairing of James Evans and Simon Beattie. However the Bulldogs again only managed four behinds for the quarter, and held onto a slim two goal lead heading into the final stanza.

A frantic last quarter ensued, with Waubra putting on two goals late in the term, but the late game heroics of Sullivan prevented them overtaking Daylesford.

Reserves

T HE Daylesford reserves have booked their place in this year's finals series, defeating Waubra by nine points at home on the weekend.

In what was a closely contested match all day, Daylesford was able to hang onto their lead in the second half to record their eighth victory in a row, and set up a meeting with Ballan in an elimination final this Sunday.