The team will face league champions Sebastopol Vikings next week, in the first week of the finals series, to play for a place in the grand final.

The Saints were missing Matt Sutton and Zoran Drogriski through injury and also the speedster Dylan Nulty .

Those that played did so with determination and had a cracking second half to pound home a result that will put the team in good spirits for the final.

The Saints got off to a great first half, with fluent passing in the mud and wetlands and clear domination early on, and scored through a brilliant Alec Cimera goal, who stunned the surging crowd with a 40-yard dash and goal.

The defence was also functioning well with Laurie Nulty, the ever reliable Dragi Koleski and Dale Trotter playing well.

Ballarat started the second half on the back foot, as the Saints found some rhythm and stealth, and smashed four goals past Ballarat White.

Carter broke a six-year goal drought with a penalty goal in the second half, calmly dribbling the ball home from the penalty spot.

Daylesford will next take to the field on Sunday at 1pm at the Wendouree West Soccer Oval, Holly Grove, Wendouree West.

Score: Saints d Ballarat White 5-nil.

Best: J.Allen, B.Marshall, D.Trotter, D.Koleski, A.Cimera