The Power's stunning final surge that secured a three-point win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium seemed unlikely when Warren Tredrea limped off in the second term and the Bombers held the ascendancy early in the third, but Stewart said the belief within the group never faltered.
"It was an unbelievable effort from all the boys; everyone just put in all day," Stewart said.
"We just kept at it all day. That's our rule; we know that if we just compete and compete all day that we'll eventually crack the opposition. It might be in the second quarter, it might be in the third or it might be with two minutes to go in the last quarter.
"If we can give 100 per cent effort then we know we'll eventually come through with a win."
That belief has seen five wins materialise from seven starts for the Power in a strong start to the year, but Stewart said that mental strength had its origins long before the home-and-away series began.
"Over pre-season we worked hard on tackling, pressuring the opposition and never giving up," he said.
"That's the attitude we take into every game and if every player has that attitude then we're not going to lose many games."
Stewart also praised the fitness staff at the club who have given the players the confidence to attack a final term as frantic as Saturday's was.
Even so, Stewart admitted he was blowing pretty hard as the game reached its stunning climax.
"I was really hanging out for the siren but you're just trying to keep your mind on the job," he said.
"You just want to create a contest, get the ball going forward and hang on.
"It always comes back to effort and all the boys gave that today."
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