KOROIT set up a second semi-final showdown with reigning premier Warrnambool after posting a 20-point win in Saturday's Hampden league qualifying final.
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The Saints marched to a 16.11 (107) to 12.15 (87) victory against North Warrnambool Eagles at the Friendly Societies' Park in front of a big crowd.
Sam Dobson was the dominant forward on the ground, kicking four goals for the Saints. But it was the comeback kid Ben Goodall who turned the game in his side's favour.
Goodall, last year's Maskell Medal winner, has only played the past five games of the season. But he shone playing largely in the forward line, kicking 3.1 and setting up several other scoring opportunities.
He was particularly damaging in the first half when he helped the Saints open a 29-point lead five minutes into the second term.
The Eagles cut the deficit to nine points late in the second term only for the Saints to kick two goals in time-on to lead by 21 points at the main break.
The Eagles flew at the Saints in the second half, kicking the first three goals of the third term in a seven-minute blitz that had them back to within two points.
Goals to Koroit captain Isaac Templeton and teenage midfielder Jayden Brennan restored a handy advantage before Dobson slotted a goal after the siren to have his side 22 points in front at the last break.
The game was played on a rock-hard surface in warm conditions that prompted sides to head straight to Warrnambool's beach for recovery sessions in the icy waters of the Southern Ocean.
Both sides have injury worries for next week.
Koroit midfielder Levi Nagorcka, who was named in the side, did not play because of a shoulder injury that will see him consult an expert in Melbourne this week. The Saints will sweat on the fitness of veteran defender Chris McLaren who limped from the ground midway through the final term with a resigned look on his face because of a quad injury.
The Eagles started the match without midfielder Nathan Murphy, who tweaked a hamstring in the final minutes of Thursday night's training session. Experienced defender Xavier Mills vomitted on the ground after copping a knee to the kidneys and midfielder Andy McMeel, who was gallant, was struggling to break out of a jog at the end of the match because of a corked thigh.
The Eagles next week play the winner of Sunday's elimination final between Terang Mortlaka and Camperdown.