Warrnambool trailed by 27 points at the final change but got its nose in front after James Keane soccered a goal. Chris Keilar then sealed the win with a goal in the final minutes to cement Warrnambool’s victory in the match between the leagues ranked 29 and 30 in country Victoria.

Colac had many chances in the final term but failed to capitalise.

Warrnambool kicked six goals in the opening and final terms, with Keilar the main destroyer with four majors.

After a dominant start, the visitors led at the first break by 19 points, but their lead crumpled to an eight-point deficit at half time.

“It was a game of two halves,” winning coach Simon O’Keefe said. “We started well and finished well, (Colac and District) dominated the middle.”

He praised his team for fighting back from more than four goals down after Colac took control of the second and third quarters.

Colac coach Tim Pekin told the crowd at Colac’s Central Reserve that Warrnambool had “kicked off hard and finished hard”.

Warrnambool wingman Alister Porter was best for his side and ­defender Dean Scheetz was Colac’s best.