WILLIAMSTOWN cruised past Port Melbourne and into the Victorian Football League preliminary finals.

The scintillating Seagulls did not miss a beat in a 58-point domination of a one-sided qualifying final at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.

It was Peter German's first finals win as coach of the Seagulls. He moved on quickly soon after. "It means nothing unless we win the next one, I'll give you the tip," he said with a chuckle. "It gives us an opportunity now to play in a preliminary final." The Seagulls were the premier team throughout the home-and-away rounds.

The spotlight and the intensity is always hotter in the finals.

The Borough's big build-up to knock off the competition's yardstick was snuffed out within minutes.

The quick-off-the-mark Seagulls set sail to victory with a six-goal-to-nil opening term. "I was pleased with that," German said. "I think anybody would be happy with a six-goal break at quarter-time. It was good, accurate kicking and our defence did well to keep them out."

The Seagulls were never headed.

Versatile midfielder Ben Davies claimed best-on-ground honors. He was the conduit between the half-back and half-forward lines with his run and carry.

Towering ruckman Will Minson controlled the stoppages. The big man is in line for a recall, along with silky-skilled midfielder Shaun Higgins, to the Western Bulldogs' line-up for their AFL qualifying final clash with Collingwood on Saturday night. There could also be another surprise inclusion for the Bulldogs.

Seagulls crumbing forwards Andrew Hooper (four goals) and Brennan Stack (three) were a cut above the Borough defenders.

The victory confirms the Seagulls are getting their processes right.

"Did we get some momentum? Yeah, probably," German said.

"But you get a week's break so you've still that week's rest [to lose that momentum]. I think all it does is keep confirming that hopefully what we're doing is right." The Seagulls await the winner of the Casey Scorpions and Northern Bullants semi-final.

Lance Jenkinson

Scoreboard

Willi amstown 19.15 (129) d Port Melbourne 10.11 (71)

Williamstown - Goals: A. Hooper 4, B. Stack 3, P. Rose 3, M. Little 3, J. Hill 2, M. Panos 2, B. Davies, S. Higgins. Best: B. Davies, A. Hooper, W. Minson, T. Callan, B. Jolley, P. Faulks.