In an unbelievably one-sided preliminary final, it was underdogs Ballarat that dominated from start to finish to set up a grand final date with North Ballarat City.

The Swans had not beaten Redan in its last nine outings, ironically the preliminary final in 2010, but the demons of recent years were erased as soon as the ball bounced in the centre of Eastern Oval.

With Ballarat slamming on four goals before Redan could even enter its own forward 50m, the tone of the match was set from the start.

Despite heading into the match under a major injury cloud, Ballarat's Sam Conroy had a major impact from full-forward, stretching Redan's depleted back half.

His ruck duties were filled by Sam Caldow.

Leading by 32 points at the first break, the Swans steeled themselves for a Redan onslaught - and it came.

The maroon and gold dominated the first 10 minutes of the second quarter but missed three crucial chances, only for Ballarat to rebound and kick a goal off the boot of youngster Mitch Martin, instantly deflating the Lions.

Redan would go on to kick three goals for the quarter but each time it posed even a faint threat of a comeback, Ballarat answered with an immediate goal of its own.

Ten goals separated the sides at half time and by that stage, Ballarat was already well on its way to its first grand final since 2010.

"That's what happens when you have 22 blokes who are hell-bent on just having one hell of a crack right from the start," Swans coach Ash Baker said.

"History and god knows whatever was stacked against us, but we played with passion and belief and it showed anything can happen.

"The enormity of it probably hasn't sunk in. All you aim to do is to give all that you got and hope that's enough to be somewhere around the mark, but to come out like that was great."

To Redan's credit, it fought bravely in the second half but not at one stage did it ever pose a realistic threat of a miracle comeback.

In fact, it was not until the fourth quarter that the Lions were able to string together consecutive goals.

The Lions were also clearly hurt by the late losses of Hayden Riley and Chris Giampaolo, with Riley pulling out in the warm-up.

Nathan Wright got the call up, while Jack Jess was forced to back up after playing three quarters in the reserves game.

For Ballarat, it was almost impossible to pick out any individuals as key contributors; the whole side was influential.

Captain Nick Garner played a solid shut-down role on Ryan Waight after half time, Chris Prockter provided the ultimate target in the forward line, while the likes of Adam and Myles Sewell, Liam Youl, Nicholas O'Farrell and Shane Hutchinson simply owned the midfield.

Adam Sewell and Conroy were rested in the last quarter as the Swans started early preparation for next week's grand final.

Redan coach Eammon Gill was left to lament how his side was dominated throughout the ground, particularly in the midfield.

It was the Lions' second preliminary final loss in as many years.

"They smashed us in the midfield and the ball went into their forward line without any pressure," he said.

"It's extremely disappointing to get there again and bomb out again at the same stage.

"We have had some individuals who have come a long way but as a group we probably haven't progressed."

Ballarat will meet North Ballarat City at Eastern Oval next Saturday.