The pressure was off both clubs in the game - with Bulldogs already assured of a preliminary final position and Toshacks unable to reach the finals - and it led to a great game of netball.

Bulldogs and Panthers went virtually blow for blow over the opening half, with the less experienced Toshacks side definitely giving Verdelho a scare.

Panthers went into the first break 7-6 up and then maintained their advantage going into half-time with a 15-14 lead.

But from there the finals-bound Bulldogs started to find their groove.

Bulldogs doubled what Toshacks were able to find in the next term, taking control of the game with a 10-5 quarter and keeping that momentum going into the last quarter.

They couldn't rest on their laurels with another quarter of play to go but over a much closer contested term the Bulldogs women still managed to outscore their opponents.

The second half of play was better but still not the sort of netball Bulldogs coach Anita van Dartel was looking for with finals on the team's doorstep.

Bulldogs were down on shooting power for the game and it showed.

"It was a little bit scrappy but that's okay. I'll definitely take it," she said.

"We had only one of our shooters out of three, so we threw some other players into there and they did a good job.

"We're just all glad that we can still go out there and play netball this year and have a good time. We're trying to make it as enjoyable as possible, and we've still got at least game left and we'll see what happens after that."

Meanwhile, Saturday was also meant to play host to a thrilling all-Panthers affair between the A grade side and their Agriwest counterparts.

However, the game never even had a single minute played.

The winner of the match was guaranteed to face Bulldogs in the upcoming preliminary final but Agriwest forfeited the game, giving Panthers A grade an opportunity to reach another grand final.

Van Dartel said the team are excited to finally get the chance to play Panthers once again.

"Unfortunately we've only had the chance to play them once so far this year due to the rain," she said.

"It will be an exciting game to see who gets to play in the grand final."

Bulldogs finished the season on 16 points, two shy of minor premiers Collegians.