Minor premiers Collingwood have doubled the Western Bulldogs score to easily win their qualifying final by 62 points on Saturday night at the MCG.

The foot injury to midfielder Sharrod Wellingham was the only setback as they cruised to a 17.22 (124) to 8.14 (62) win.

It is also understood that Bulldogs key forward Barry Hall is on report after a second-term incident with Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien.

While Collingwood have the week off ahead of their preliminary final, the Bulldogs face the winner of the Sydney-Carlton elimination final in next Saturday night's semi-final.

Magpies midfielders Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas shone in the convincing win and captain Nick Maxwell was superb as a loose man in defence.

Swan and Steele Sidebottom kicked three goals apiece.

The Bulldogs are now 0-5 this season against their fellow top-four teams.

Collingwood's notorious inaccuracy cost them a much bigger margin, but it did not matter.

The minor premiers never looked like giving up control of the game, plus the Bulldogs were also wasteful in front of goal.

Wellingham, who has played 21 games this season, landed awkwardly on his right foot in the third term.

He collapsed to the ground in agony and two trainers had to help him from the field.

His injury was the one lowlight of a great night for the Magpies.

The Bulldogs started well, but could not kick early goals to put the pressure on Collingwood.

Within 10 minutes, the Magpies had taken control and would never give it back.

Maxwell's defensive work was particularly important in the first quarter, with the Bulldogs unable to find a reliable avenue to goal.

The Bulldogs came into the finals after a form slump and a shocking run with injuries last month.

They are without Adam Cooney and Dale Morris for the rest of the season, plus Brad Johnson and Shaun Higgins were clearly below top fitness.

Ryan Griffen had been in doubt with a knee injury, but he was their best player with a strong performance in the midfield.

It appears that Hall was put on report following his tangle with Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien in the second term.

At one stage, a field umpire intervened in their heated scuffle.

Bulldogs key defender Brian Lake was forced from the field early in the second term when he landed heavily on his shoulder, but was back on the field within a few minutes.

The Bulldogs confirmed that Hall was reported in the second term for abusive language towards an umpire.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said Wellingham had an ankle strain.

"He should be right," Malthouse added.

The Magpies coach was pleased with the match, noting it was solid all-round effort.

"It was a good performance, we played a good football side, we played four quarters of footy," he said.

"We had good contributors in most areas, which was nice and handy.

"We played the percentages reasonably well, stuck to our formations and in general, made it difficult for them - but there's no easy game."

Asked about their inaccuracy, Malthouse pointed out that the conditions were greasy and seven of their behinds were rushed.

"In general, we weren't too bad in that area - I wasn't aware we kicked 22 points, quite frankly," he said.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade conceded there was not much they could do in terms of selection ahead of next weekend, saying it was a matter of making sure the players rebound strongly.

"Now, more than anything, we've just got to get the mental state right next week - we can't look backwards, we can't change the result," he said.

"So this far into the season, it's about getting the team right for next week."

Eade added that Johnson and Higgins were fit enough to play, but had simply not had good games.

"Brad's form ... has been okay, but he had a bad one tonight," Eade said.

"I suppose he's a victim of his own standards and his own standing in the game, he didn't play well.

"But everyone has a bad game at some stage - Brad will be playing next week."

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