The Bloods came into the match-up having closed the regular season with four straight wins and made a solid start, leading 10-8 at the first interval.
The Bulldogs bit back in the second period, outscoring Elmore 12-10, meaning the two sides were deadlocked at 20-20 at half-time, setting up an enthralling second half.
The Bloods would make their first move in the third quarter, outscoring North Bendigo 13-10 over the 15 minutes to hold a minor cushion entering the fourth.
A tense final 15 minutes would see goals be few and far between as both sides tightened up defensively.
Only 13 baskets were made in the fourth, Elmore scoring seven to the Bulldogs’ six and ultimately battling to a tight 40-36 win at full-time.
Adam Boldiston’s side has now won five straight games in the competition and seven of its last eight, continuing what has been a significant improvement from the first half of 2026.
Elmore has also now surpassed what it achieved in 2025 when it fell at the first hurdle of finals to Huntly.
It was also the fourth time this season Elmore has won a game by less than five goals, the Bloods creating a habit of finding a way to edge close encounters.
They will now face White Hills in another elimination fixture on Sunday, August 23 at Toolleen Recreation Reserve after the Demons lost their qualifying final to Mount Pleasant by 42 goals.
Elmore won the most recent meeting between the sides in round 13, with progression to a preliminary final on offer for the winner.
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