After finishing equal ladder leaders, the Eagles were considered genuine premiership threats and went into the preliminary final as favourites but couldn't reproduce their home-and-away season form.

They were bundled out 6.11(47) to 10.15(75).

Doveton was a goal down at three-quarter time and still a chance going into the last quarter, but the Mountain Lions kicked away booting four goals with the wind and advancing to the grand final next week.

Eagles coach Barry Gidden said there were no excuses for his side going out in straight sets.

"We were completely outplayed. There was a strong wind and they capitalised. They ran the game out a lot better than we did. Their fitness levels were definitely ahead of ours."

"They took their chances with the wind and we wasted ours. It's tough to go out in straight sets but we came up against two sides that were better than us on the day and we copped some injuries to key players at the worst time.

"But there are no excuses. We had our chances and we wasted them.

"The boys will learn from it and hopefully come back a better team next year."

Doveton's century goal-kicking full forward Rick Ramsdale escaped a striking charge during the week and was one of Doveton's best contributors with two goals. Adrian Piccioli, Daniel Selman, and Matthew Fristad, were also among the Eagles' best.