At Picola, the Bulldogs trailed early, but did not allow a goal in the second or third quarters and ground out majors of their own to take control of the battle, eventually winning by 24 points.
It means they await the winner of this weekend's clash between Katamatite and Rennie for a preliminary final, where they will attempt to win through to a grand final for the sixth time in seven years.
Against the talented Saints, the Bulldogs were behind early, copping three goals to their own two to trail by five points at quarter-time in what quickly looked a contest that would live up to the hype.
But the Dogs lifted, kicking the only two goals of the second term to hit half-time a goal ahead, looking to show the competition it remained a force to be reckoned with.
That was confirmed with another two unanswered goals in the third term, fuelling a 20-point three-quarter-time advantage that would prove almost impossible to chase down in a low-scoring game.
Two goals each in the last meant the Bulldogs would hold on comfortably, with the Saints forced to cash in their double-chance with a semi-final against Deniliquin this weekend.
Theo Thomas and Lance Oswald kicked two goals each for Strathmerton, with Matt O'Kane, Adrian Crestani, Tyron Hill and Nathan McNair among the best players.
For Berrigan, Ted Walliss was his monumental self with three goals, while Tom Walliss, Kyle McQualter, Lee Schmidt and Tom Beams stood out.
FINAL SCORE
Strathmerton 2.2, 4.3, 6.6, 8.10 (58) d Berrigan 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 5.4 (34)
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