Nothing quite pounds the pride as much as being embarrassed in an AFL final.

So Dale Morris and his fellow Western Bulldogs defenders knew there was only one way to make amends for falling victim to Hawthorn and Lance Franklin last week - don't let it happen again.

Morris was unable to subdue Franklin in the qualifying final where the Hawk superstar booted eight goals and the Bulldogs were left lamenting a 51-point bucketing.

But on Friday Morris was back to the form which recently earned him a nomination for All-Australian honours as he handsomely beat Sydney star Adam Goodes in the semi-final at the MCG.

Goodes played predominantly forward and was labouring with a groin problem, but Morris kept the dual Brownlow medallist to 10 disposals and one goal, which was critical in the Bulldogs' 37-point win.

The Bulldogs will now play Geelong in next weekend's first preliminary final.

Morris said he and fellow key defenders Brian Lake and Ryan Hargrave were determined to hit back after being unable to cope with the Franklin-led Hawks.

"There was a bit of pressure on all the guys down back after last week," he said.

"So we really took it personally and wanted to prove that we are a good defensive unit, and I think we did that."

Barry Hall battled hard to finish with four goals but none of the other Swans forwards fired.

Morris was satisfied with the way he and his teammates responded to the doubters who predicted the Bulldogs would be dismissed in straight sets.

"The pressure was definitely on us," he said.

"It was a big week, a big build-up with people jumping on us and saying that we're going to go out in straight sets.

"So we had a bit to prove and to the boys' credit, we all came out and across the board we all put in 100 per cent.

"We had no passengers and that's the reason we got over the line."

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