It was tight right to the last quarter when the Bombers took the momentum and almost got over the line.

But in the end, Buninyong was pipped by three points.

It was Beaufort that got off to a flying start with Lachlan Murray scoring the first major for the Crows in less than 30 seconds.

Murray followed up with another goal in the third quarter and a vital one in the last.

Star recruit Jarrod McCorkell was a late inclusion for Beaufort skipper Michael Foster and his influence was felt on the scoreboard with two big goals.

The irrepressible Jack Duke was a force to be reckoned with, too. Two vital goals from Duke in the third term – including one after the siren – swung the Crows into a six-point lead going into the final stanza.

Beaufort had to slug it out in the first half and managed a one-point lead at quarter time. Buninyong then levelled the scores at 4.4 (28) apiece at the long break.

The Bombers looked a real chance of overhauling the Crows in the last term by keeping their rivals to one goal. But Buninyong wasted opportunities in front of the big sticks and came up short at the final siren.

Beaufort had an even spread of talent across the ground. Those who worked a little harder included Levi Cox, Mitch Jenkins, Tom Stapleton and Lee Marshall.

A major casualty was Crows half-forward Jayden Orr, who will have scans on an ankle injury.

Mark Phelps and Lachlan Baker kicked two goals each for the Bombers.

There were great performances from Buninyong, but those to stand out were Chris Wills, Jack Robertson, Jake Coxall, Ned Gilbert, Dan Pelchen and Alex Bomitali.

For Beaufort coach Rohan Brown, the clash was “the way finals footy should be”.

“It was a fantastic game of footy… played the right way, the way finals footy should be. Credit to Buninyong, they’re a great team. There will be 44 pretty sore blokes tonight I reckon,” Brown said.

It was a case of missed chances for Buninyong coach Jarrod Morgan.

“We just didn’t take our chances. It was a good arm-wrestle all day. We gave ourselves every chance in the last quarter. We missed a couple of set shots, but you know that happens. It was always going to be close,” he said.

The Crows now get a week off to prepare for a preliminary final showdown, while the Bombers are left to take on Daylesford in a knockout semi-final next Saturday afternoon.