Warrnambool District Hockey Association (WDHA) will no longer fly under the radar as it chases consecutive men’s division one crown at Footscray.

The representative squad upstaged Geelong 2-0 in the 2014 grand final to claim its maiden top-grade crown, after three straight runner-up finishes.

But the task of going back-to-back looms tough. Its four rivals are keenly aware how dangerous the south-west outfit can be.

“It’d be easier if we were the underdogs,” defender Toby Webb said.

“Last year we were the underdogs and it was much easier. But this year the pressure is on us, we’re the standard.”

Webb said he was proud Warrnambool District had emerged into a top country association, despite a limited population base compared with its rivals.

“I remember when I first started, when I was 13, we’d go up to play country week and we’d get pumped,” he said.

“Especially when we started playing on turf at the Melbourne Hockey Centre, some of the other teams smashed us.

“They were playing proper hockey, we were in the dark ages. Now 10 years later we’re right up there with them. It’s been a pretty big turnaround.”

He backed the current crop to be competitive this weekend. The young squad — Webb is the oldest at 28 — has largely remained intact. Max Ferrier, Daniel Carlin, Cam Jarry, Jack White and Cale Rout are among those with Victoria Country experience.

But for all its talent, unfamiliarity remains a major challenge. Squad members are scattered between Warrnambool, Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong.

“All you can do is focus on your own thing. Hopefully the first two games we gel together quickly and come together quickly,” Webb said.

“The coach Stew Purcell, that’s what he’s working towards. We can’t pull off any complex plays. We’ve got to gel together, do the basics well and occasionally do some flashy stuff.”

The men’s division one squad is one of three bound for the titles. WDHA is also represented in men’s division two at Footscray.

At Geelong, a women’s division one side is seeking to avenge its semi-final exit last year.

Midfielder Phoebe Webb backed her side to improve on the result. “I reckon we’ve got a pretty good side,” she said.

“A couple of ex-Warrnambool players who have moved to Geelong and Melbourne, they’re coming back to play for us, which will be handy.

“We’ve got a few younger players about uni age straight out of school then a few older players who have been playing for a while.”

Geelong-based Elise Webster and Melbourne-based Claire Kane are the returnees. Emily Lanman is also back after a break from hockey.

Goalkeeper Marli Blackney-Noter will make her representative debut.