LEARMONTH will face off against Hepburn for a place in the Central Highlands Football League grand final after overpowering Waubra on Saturday afternoon in the qualifying final.

A strong third quarter by the Lakies set up the score line 14.12 (96) to 11.8 (74).

With in-form, forward-line players, including century goal kicker Lee Brown and half-forward John Coleman, in good form early for Waubra, Learmonth had their work cut out at quarter time to be trailing by 10 points.

Waubra's defensive pressure inside their own forward line made life difficult for the Lakies clearing the ball, which playing coach Steve Biggin emphasised at the first break to his Waubra outfit.

In Learmonth's huddle, AJ Beacham was ruing his side's missed opportunities with four behinds and urged his players to kick three or four quick goals in the second term.

The Lakies responded with Tim Beacham kicking his second major from a free kick, while James Sobey booted two goals in succession.

Brown check-sided a steadier for Waubra, while a kick-in mistake from Sam Miller for the Lakies gave Waubra their second in a row.

In a tight second quarter, David Wright broke away from a pack and kicked one of the goals of the day to give Learmonth the lead.

Beacham had a chance to extend the lead by getting his third free kick inside 50, but only managed to hit the post right on the half-time siren to have Learmonth lead by three points.

With ruckman John Cantwell and midfielders Brenton Powell and John Basham playing well, Learmonth looked to have the edge.

The Ballarat City Mazda Honda Lakies set up the game in the third quarter, with Nick Bone, Sobey and Beacham all proving to be a handful in the forward line.

Learmonth held a 27-point lead at three quarter time, but Waubra had not lost hope of a comeback.

"We have one quarter left to prove what we have got," Biggin said.

Beacham told his Lakies players to be mindful that the job was not done and to continue pushing the ball inside 50.

Waubra got an ideal start with plucky forward Coleman taking a contested mark and converting from the goal square. Moments later Paul Dodds received a handball from Coleman and kicked the goal on the run to cut the margin to 15 points.

Cantwell, who was superb all afternoon, continued to get his hands on the ball first in the ruck during the last quarter and Learmonth responded.

Beacham kicked two goals, while Bone capped off a splendid second half with his fourth goal to snuff out Waubra's hopes.

Two late goals to Brown were not enough for Waubra, which will play Daylesford this weekend to keep its premiership dream alive.