Collingwood forward Tim Membrey missed a set shot after the final siren as the Western Bulldogs hung on for a tense three-point victory in the AFL’s first wildcard final.

Membrey marked about 40 metres out from goal but his attempt at a match-winning goal faded agonisingly to the right, with the Bulldogs prevailing 14.12 (96) to 14.9 (93) at the MCG on Friday night.

Luke Beveridge’s men advance to an elimination final next week, while the Magpies’ finals campaign is over.

A huge crowd of 81,036 was on hand for the historic knockout clash as the eighth and ninth-ranked teams traded blows in a fiery battle.

Raging Brownlow Medal favourite Nick Daicos (30 disposals, two goals) did everything he could to drag Collingwood over the line. But Marcus Bontempelli (32 disposals, one goal), Matthew Kennedy (27 touches) and Ed Richards (25) gave the Bulldogs midfield ascendancy as Aaron Naughton and Arthur Jones fired in attack.

The pair of forwards kicked four goals each, with Jones snapping what proved to be the decisive major deep into time-on of the final term. It marked the fourth lead change in a gripping conclusion to a messy, yet enthralling contest before Membrey’s critical miss at the end.

Kennedy was hurt in a final-quarter collision and was ruled out of the latter stages of the match – as well as next week’s elimination final – with concussion. Bailey Dale (24 disposals) was influential at half-back for the Bulldogs.

Dan McStay kicked four goals for Collingwood, with Sam Swadling (32 disposals) and Josh Daicos (26) busy. The Magpies’ defeat brought down the curtain on premiership hero Steele Sidebottom’s career, with doubt over injured games record holder Scott Pendlebury’s playing future.

The Bulldogs will find out who they play in next week’s elimination final after Saturday night’s other wildcard final, between Melbourne and Carlton, also at the MCG.

- Australian Associated Press with Jonathan Horn’s full report to follow …