Sunraysia had few answers as the Big W ran out winners, 17.11 (113) to 8.13 (61).

It was an unusual preparation for the Wimmera team as it travelled to Mildura on Friday night.

With a four-hour road trip ahead of the team, it was coach John Delahunty’s call to leave the night before the match.

Wimmera officials said the move paid off as the Big W looked up and about from the first bounce.

The Wimmera came out with hard tackling and strong intent to win the football.

Their inside players were able to win the footy at regular intervals and released young guns Tom Eckel and Sam Jasper on the outside.

Wimmera led Sunraysia by an eight-goal margin at the main break and withstood any resistance to claim the 52-point victory. 

Wimmera captain Nick Pekin received the best on ground medal, while Ararat’s Riley Taylor was named among Big W’s best players. Other stand outs were Kieren Delahunty, Sam Jasper, Tom Eckel, John Delahunty, Alexander McRae and Lachlan Exell. 

The win sees the Wimmera Football League one step closer to cracking the top 10 on the Worksafe Community Championship rankings.

Wimmera will move into 16th spot and take on 17th spot Mornington Peninsula Nepean in 2017.

League commissioner Trevor Albrecht said he was hopeful of getting a home game in the 2017 fixture.

“We were rapt to win and we are hoping the win gives us a home game next season,” he said.

“We want to be top 10. Being in that top 10 ranks us as one of Victoria’s premier leagues.”