The representative squad is this week celebrating a remarkable 9.8 (62) to 7.15 (57) win in its AFL Victoria country championships clash with Mid Gippsland at Morwell’s Ronald Reserve.

The result was unjust based on skill level alone. Mid Gippsland was superior in almost every measurable facet, notably its clean disposal, spread and ball movement.

But that only told half the story. Pressure was a non-negotiable for Warrnambool and District entering the match and proved the most critical element over four quarters.

Put simply, old-fashioned football prevailed against modern-day trends. Little of what the visitors did was clean, yet the spoils of victory were theirs.

“One hundred per cent. I thought they were better skilled, moved the ball better, better structured,” co-coach Darcy Lewis said.

“That stood out to everyone but at the end of the day, it was our pressure and effort. If they couldn’t hold the ball or if they couldn’t have the ball, they couldn’t hurt us.

“We just worked and kept toiling away and it really started to show. I could see it the whole day. I had a feeling we were going to come out on top the whole day.”

For all his confidence, Lewis was a figure of desperation as Mid Gippsland, kicking with the aid of a decisive breeze, mounted a bold charge in the dying stages.

The hosts trailed 6.7 to 7.6 at three-quarter-time but hit the front when ruckman Dylan Farrell outmarked Sam Doukas in the goal square and goaled.

The game was at their mercy but Warrnambool and District wouldn’t relent, and regained the lead when Paddy Mahony set up James Keane for the reply.

Sam Gleeson then eased the tension with an off-the-ground effort to extend the margin to eight points — arguably the most important goal of the day.

That left Mid Gippsland needing at least two of its own to snatch victory. In truth, it could’ve kicked four such were the chances which went begging thereafter.

But luck proved elusive. Its next shot went out of bounds on the full and two more sprayed wide. A rushed behind brought the margin back to five points.

Then came the moment bound to haunt Mid Gippsland for the next 12 months — a regulation set shot from about 35 metres directly in front which missed badly.

Lewis, whose horror clearance from defence led to the turnover which set up the shot, breathed a huge sigh of relief. Minutes later he was celebrating.

His defenders, well on the back foot, managed to extract the ball out of their defensive 50 from the kick-in and launch an attack. The siren sounded soon after.

“When that siren went it was a fairly euphoric feeling,” Lewis said.

Duncan earned the Warrnambool and District best-afield medal for his immense efforts at either end of the ground — a performance bound to go down in league folklore.

He spent the first half as an imposing figure in defence, slotted a third-term goal after being shifted forward and reverted to defence in the last.

But Duncan was not alone. Lewis was ever-present across half-forward and kicked the goal of the day in the third term, a set shot from 50 metres on the boundary.

Porter provided the class his teammates lacked, Mahony was a surprise packet down back and on the ball, and Leatham Robe was the pick of the onballers.

Rhys Raymond, Keane and Wallace were also tireless splitting the ruck duties against the more mobile pairing of Farrell and Luke Norder.

Gippsland Power-listed teenager Tyler Hillier was Mid Gippsland’s best, showing youthful dash but also composure beyond his years.

Goal sneak Tim Phillips kicked three majors while key-position utility Julian Blackford, Joel Bragagnolo and Sam Mills were also among its main contributors.