Defending WNBL premiers Bendigo will host the grand final after coming from behind and producing a stifling defensive effort to beat Dandenong 71-62 in the major semi-final on Sunday.
It was Bendigo's sixth straight win and Dandenong's fourth successive loss.
The Spirit have won 10 in a row against Dandenong, who will be home for next Sunday's preliminary final against Townsville, who won Saturday's elimination minor semi-final against Melbourne.
Dandenong led 23-15 late in the first quarter in Bendigo, but the minor premiers restricted the Rangers to just 39 points in the last three quarters.
"I think that was what got us over the line in the finish - it was just being able to lock down," Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower said.
"We held the highest scoring team in the competition to 62 today and that's the secret of the win right there.
"I don't think either team flowed offensively, but just being able to get those massive stops down the stretch, I think that was the key to the game for sure."
Both Bendigo and Dandenong shot just over 30 per cent from the field, but the Spirit made many more visits to the free-throw line.
American WNBA forward Kelsey Griffin was hugely influential for Bendigo, controlling play in the paint with 19 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
"She did a hell of a job for us," Harrower said.
Dandenong counterpart Mark Wright was equally impressed saying "Griffin was amazing; she's a machine."
Centre Gabrielle Richards added 13 points and 11 boards, veteran guard Kristi Harrower chimed in with 14 points and 10 assists and backcourt partner Kelly Wilson also scored 14.
For Dandenong, Jenna O'Hea scored 16, Alice Kunek 13 and Brigitte Ardrossi 12.
Wilson and Harrower did a good job defending O'Hea and Leilani Mitchell respectively, while both had some big shots of their own in the second half, as Bendigo forged ahead after a 38-38 halftime stalemate.
Wright said Dandenong needed more in attack from WNBA players Mitchell and Kayla Pedersen, who scored just two and six respectively, with the former making just one of nine field goal attempts.
"I thought, defensively, we were terrific too but we just couldn't make a shot at the other end," Wright said.
"Our scoring dried up, and that's happened a lot against Bendigo and we need more than one or two players to help us carry the scoring load."
