IT HAS been 20,090 days since the Dogs' last Grand Final in 1961, seven months after the Beatles played their first gig at the Cavern Club.

The 1961 decider was Hawthorn's first Grand Final and the Dogs' second. The Hawks have since played in 18, winning 13 flags.

The Bulldogs' 55-year absence from deciders has been the AFL's longest active Grand Final drought.

The new holder of that unwanted record is Richmond. The Tigers' last Grand Final appearance was in 1982.

• Five things we learned from the preliminary final epic at Spotless Stadium

The Bulldogs are the only team in history to reach the Grand Final after finishing seventh after the home-and-away season.

Marcus Bontempelli (l) and Tom Liberatore react after the Bulldogs reach the 2016 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos



The Bulldogs are the first Victorian team to win two interstate finals in the same finals series.

The Bulldogs have won three consecutive finals matches for the first time since 1954-56, a run which included the club's only premiership.

Saturday's win ends the Bulldogs' run of seven consecutive preliminary final losses since 1985. In total they have now contested 11 preliminary finals for two wins.