Barry Hall again starred for his new side as the Western Bulldogs won through to the grand final of the AFL pre-season competition with a three-point win over Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Hall kicked four goals, all at critical junctures, and set up the winning major for Brian Lake as the Doggies posted a gritty comeback win, 1.11.17 (92) to 1.12.8 (89).

Sent on for one last hurrah in the dying minutes when the Bulldogs trailed by three points, Hall took a huge pack mark and then handballed to Lake, whose goal with just over a minute left won the game.

The Bulldogs will next weekend play the winner of Saturday night's other semi-final, between St Kilda and Fremantle at Etihad Stadium.

The Bulldogs were lacklustre in the first quarter and conceded the first three goals of the game, but found their run in the second term and jumped clear when Hall kicked truly after the half-time siren.

Hall levelled the scores just before three-quarter time to deny Port a lead at the last change, and again levelled the scores early in the last quarter.

The ex-Swan kicked six goals in his first game for the Bulldogs in last week's win over Hawthorn, but was just as good on Friday night, as he also dished off goals, one to the running Adam Cooney and another in the last quarter with a pass to Brodie Moles.

Moles is yet to play a senior game but was one of the best afield with some neat disposal, while the Bulldogs' Ryan Griffen and Robert Murphy had a big impact the longer the game went.

Port's Daniel Stewart booted three goals but went off the ground late after a heavy knock but the rest of the Power continued their good pre-season campaign with one last challenge.

Former Brisbane Lion Scott Harding kicked two goals in three minutes late in the game, one on the run and the other after roving a throw-in, which put his side on track for a shock win.

But in the closing moments Shaun Higgins got a loose ball just forward of the wing and kicked long to about 30 metres out, where Hall took a strong mark.

As soon as Hall regained his feet, he gave off a long handball to Lake, who was in the clear but not ready for the ball, although he gathered, steadied and kicked truly.

Port, who will play a practice match next weekend, were best served by Travis Boak, Kane Cornes, Justin Westhoff, Stewart and Robbie Gray, who kicked two goals in his first game of the campaign.

Bulldogs assistant coach Peter Dean was in charge for the night, but admitted senior coach Rodney Eade made the call to send Hall back on.

"There was roughly two minutes to go when they hit the front," he said.

"We were under a little bit of pressure there so, instincts, and we put Hally on ... it was a strong mark going back with the flight of the ball, so he's proving his worth, Hally.

"We're not Hall-focused. At times it does seem that way, but he puts himself in the right spots." Dean was pleased the Bulldogs overcame their share of early fumbles and said a cup final berth was a "perfect preparation" for the premiership season.

The Bulldogs will be chasing their fifth knock-out competition title.

Port coach Mark Williams was pleased with the Power's pre-season after they finished 10th in 2009, but rued skill errors at critical times.

"The skill errors, ours stood out and (were) really poor, some of them where we were three on one running inside 50 and mucked it up ... we'd like to make better choices and continue to work on our skills," he said.

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