FIVE goals to Western Bulldogs rookie Matthew Panos and 33 touches to stand-in Williamstown captain Ben Jolley ensured the Seagulls advanced to the preliminary final, ending their three-year hoodoo against the Roosters.
With just two AFL players at North Ballarat's disposal, it lacked the class to compete with the grand final-bound Seagulls.
Western Bulldog-listed players combined for 18 goals in the 20.14 (134) to 10.7 (67) win at Box Hill.
THE Western Bulldogs are likely to put Luke Dahlhaus, Jarrad Grant, Lindsay Gilbee and Tom Liberatore on ice for the rest of the year, opting for them not to play in the VFL finals due to heavy workloads this season.
BUT Ed Barlow, Mitch Wallis, Will Minson, Jason Tutt, Jayden Schofield, and Ayce Cordy are likely to be made available for Williamstown's preliminary final in two weeks due to fewer senior games and lighter workloads.
MINSON was best-afield yesterday, gathering 35 touches and torching star North Ballarat ruckman Orren Stephenson. He looms as a key to the Dogs next year with Ben Hudson retired.
Williamstown 2.3 8.5 14.10 20.14 (134)
North Ballarat 1.4 3.5 7.6 10.7 (67)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Panos 5 Hahn 3 Gilbee 2 Hooper 2 Hill 2 SKINNER 2 Stretton Djerrkura Carr Howard
North Ballarat: Driscoll 2 George 2 Micallef 2 Tyler Dare Lynch Hoy
