Nirranda co-coach Shane Threlfall believes a thrilling wet weather win over Old Collegians will give his side plenty of confidence in the lead up to the Warrnambool and District league finals.
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The Warriors threatened to steal the game late but couldn't reel in the Blues which took a 7.6 (48) to 6.5 (41) victory.
Old Collegians staged a comeback in the final quarter, much to the crowd's excitement, but ran out of time.
The opening quarter proved critical as Nirranda went to the first break with a 16-point lead.
"It's always good to win a tight match because it gives you confidence going forward that you can hold up in big moments," Threlfall said.
"I thought some of our players really held up in the big moments today.
"Finals footy is a contested game so to have a really close contested game, at this time of year, holds you in good stead later."
Threlfall said his medium-sized "nuggety" midfielders including Peter McDowall and Dylan Lees were vital to the win.
McDowall was named the Blues' best player for his efforts.
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The Blues mentor said Jason Lee also put his head over the ball all day and was an important contributor.
Nirranda forward Jack Primmer, who kicked a goal, said it was hard slog out on the field.
"It was tough, there was a lot of physical contact the whole time," he said.
Primmer echoed co-coach Shane Quick's post-game assessment that the Blues need to brush up on their discipline.
"I think we gave away three 50s today and probably gave them three goals," he said.
"We've just got to work on that."
Old Collegians coach Nick Sheehan said his side put together three solid quarters.
But he felt the Blues were better around the goals in the low-scoring encounter.
"Overall, it was a hard slog, it could have gone either way," he said.
"They just seemed to get their goals a lot easier than we did."
Sheehan said the Warriors were better at stoppages than usual and held up the Blues.
Old Collegians' back-line was solid throughout the match with Josh Dwyer and Mason Crosier big contributors.
Forwards Aaron Williams and Josh Reichman (calf) were late withdrawals from the match.
It meant teenager Jarryd Cust came in for his first senior match.
Meanwhile, former Old Collegians coach Nathan Forth played his 250th match for the club.
Sheehan said it was a privilege to run out with the club stalwart.
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