The 38-26 result lifted the Blues to fourth on the ladder after 11 rounds, within striking distance of a top-three finish.

Coach Jacqui Bowman said it was Warrnambool's best team performance of the season.

"It was a crucial win for us because we need to stay in the five and we really need to work our way into the top three," she said.

"I think the (wet) conditions probably suited us, particularly with a height advantage in our defensive end."

The Blues led at each of the first three changes, without making a decisive break until the fourth quarter when their full-court defensive pressure was rewarded.

Bowman said it was one of the first matches this season in which Warrnambool was able to field a line-up close to full strength.

Its defensive combination of Samantha Holt and Holly Greene pressured Terang Mortlake into a series of combination changes in the goal circle, where goal shooter Haylee Plozza was the only constant.

She was partnered, in turn, by Aimee Arundell, Josie Ellerton and Renae Meade.

The home side also suffered an early setback when wing defence Mandy Condon was forced from the court with an ankle injury.

Wing attack Melita Finnigan was a powerhouse in the mid-court for Warrnambool, providing a lot of attacking drive and feeding well to goal shooter Natalie Saunders and goal attack Chelsea Lewis.

Saunders defied the tricky conditions with a high conversion rate for her 27 goals.

The Blues will be strengthened in coming weeks by the return of Amy Wormald and Emma Cook, while Kasey Owen is back training after appendix surgery.

Camperdown climbed to second on the ladder after a 47-32 home win against Cobden. Rachel Hall, Chelsea Snibson and Elyse Howard were conspicuous for the Magpies, while Emma Wright netted 32 goals.

Defender Sue Fleming helped South Warrnambool regain winning form in a 49-26 victory against Port Fairy, while Carly McKew guided Koroit to its 10th win of the season with 47-31 result against North Warrnambool Eagles as Victoria Park.