The Warriors toppled reigning premier Nirranda for the second time this season to earn a 12.6 (78) to 9.10 (64) triumph on Saturday.

Collegians has a 10-point buffer on second place as it pursues its first premiership in 25 seasons.

Collegians mentor Josh Reichman hailed his team’s ability to hold crucial marks and hit targets late in the game, declaring a top-three finish as the club’s focus.

“(Top three) is definitely the aim. You can win this competition from anywhere in the five, but I think that gives you a better opportunity to go through,” he said.

“For us it’s about improving through the year. Hopefully finals and whatever can just take care of itself.

“We’re building a bit of a rivalry with Nirranda, with the grand final and a few other close games throughout last year.

“We’re really happy to win games like today, though, because you know you’ve really earned it. 

“The boys said after the game ‘that was the hardest we’ve worked in a long time’.”

The second-year coach said the form of his forward line was among the positives to take from the match.

Towering tall Jimmy Crawford booted two majors to lead the line, while the mosquito fleet of Bodie Hibberson, Colby Rix and Reichman all contributed two.

Reichman also welcomed strong performances from youngsters Joe Kenna, Jacob Hetherington and Luke Hynes.

He said the Warriors didn’t plan to isolate Nirranda’s Gary Robinson but admitted his defenders won out.

“Our forward line worked pretty well. We looked dangerous when we could get those options going and our composure. It’s a work in progress, but it’s pleasing,” he said.

“Our backline, though, is very experienced and they do a job for us every single week.

“Without them, we’d probably be a team that is scored against pretty heavily each week.”

Blues co-coach Shane Threlfall lamented his team’s inability to hit targets inside 50.

“Their ball use was just a bit cleaner. We definitely butchered it a bit,” he said.

“They were able to spot up their forwards a bit cleaner than we were and that cost us.”