The weekend of finals matches was played in sunny, hot and very dry Las Vegas.  The Bulldogs played two games each on Saturday October 7th and Sunday, October 8th.

Saturday opened with the always tough Orange County Bombers. It would be the third time this season the Dogs have met the SoCal boys, and it proved to be a close one. Denver ran out early leaders with goals from Jared "JJ" Jones and Ben "Chook" Taylor to stake itself comfortably in front. The Ellis brothers, Tom and Charley, gained numerous possessions and along with the midfield of ruckman Brendan Feddema, rovers Dave Kennedy, Chris Candelaria, and Lachlan Warnes the Dogs won the ball out of the middle to establish some control. Combined with Jeff Fisher and Will "Sledder" Taylor playing as linkmen on the wings, the ball was won in dispute and ensured into attack.  In  the end,  the Bombers kicked more accurately but had less scoring shots and kept it close, with Denver winning by a final score of :

Saturday's second game was against the EAFL's North Carolina Tigers. The game wasn't close, but to their credit,  the Tigers kept coming. Denver's all yankee backline of Erik "Sauce" Martin, Rob "BOC" Burrs, and Jimbo Baldwin kept any Carolina attack nullified, and Denver's midfield engine was controlling the ball.  Willi Taylor's work out on the wings helped put the ball into attack with several marks and kicks. The Dogs forward line of Jimmy Waddell, Rob Strange, and Pete Treyvaud rained goals and Denver ran out comfortable winners.

Saturday was good from a winning standpoint, but it took its toll in injuries as well.  Defender Dom Kennedy (ankle), Forward Ben Harling (ribs), Wingman Jeff Fisher (shoulder), Forward JJ Jones (knee) were all injured and unable to continue playing. Charley Ellis suffered a torn hamstring, and was limited to reduced duty the rest of the weekend.

Sunday's last pool-play game was against the New York Magpies, champions of the EAFL, and winners of their two games. The winner of this game would advance to the Grand Final as group winner.

The Dogs player list had dwindled.  The team called up all four reserves, Matt Holbrook, Larry Holzen, Greg Merritt, and Jake Hutchins.  It was time for all players to step up and play as hard as ever.

New York came out early with a goal off of a free kick and it was evident the Magpies were ready to knock the Bulldogs off the mountain.  Denver's midfield gained possession with Feddema feeding the ball to his rovers but the forward line struggled to get their kicks in early, and New York's lead slowly grew. But then Bruce Durrell's trademark back-to-goal snapper got the dogs on the board and pumped new life into their game. Late in the second half saw the Bulldog reputation of never quitting with Willi Taylor kicking a goal with less than three minutes to go and Charley Ellis shoveling a game saving handball to Pete Treyvaud in front of the goal (who tapped it home) and the Dogs went in front short before the horn. Denver's back line, led by full back Jim Baldwin, held NY to limited opportunities, including numerous spoils and pin point disposals with Baldwin and Rob Burrs taking each crucial marks near the end to help seal the win.

With three wins on the trot, Denver was in the 2006 Division one Grand Final against thier long time rivals, the San Diego Lions.  The Lions arrived undefeated for the season, and had already defeated Denver in both western regionals.  The Bulldogs hoped to make the third time the charm.

San Diego opened with their trademark relentless attacking play, but Denver's back line was up to the task, as Laclan Warnes led the defense with hard at the ball play.  The Lions were able to slot a few goals through an take the early lead, but Denver answered with goals from Jim Baldwin and Rich Mann, to pull within 4 points at the half, and the Bulldogs were in it.

Alas, the second half saw San Diego dominate the midfield, win the ball in dispute a few more times than the Dogs and kick a few more goals to nothing from Denver to pull away 21 point winners.  The Denver Bulldogs congratulate the Lions on their well-earned victory and 2006 National Championship.

So the 2006 season closes with disappointment. Denver's run of 4 straight National titles is over.  Since its inception, Denver has 5 USAFL championships to call their own. The club can be assured it will be a tall task for any team to equal or better the accomplsihments of the Mighty Denver Bulldogs.