For the Dennington footballer, he isn't healed from the heartbreak which Merrivale inflicted by defeating the more-fancied Dogs on the first Saturday in September four years ago.

"It was my first senior grand final and we were beaten fairly comfortably," he said.

"I think nerves just got the better of me that day.

"I just didn't play a controlled game and I was a bit erratic.

"I was captain back then with my brother Sam and I was trying to lead from the front but I was doing it in the wrong way.

"I was just throwing myself at every contest."

Lewis attributed his undesirable performance in the season decider to "immaturity".

"Now I know that I can be smarter about what I do," he said.

"Being assistant coach this year, I've had to approach my football differently."

The 27-year-old is well aware that Dennington has the chance to snap a 22-year premiership drought on Saturday when it duels Kolora-Noorat at Reid Oval.

His father Geoff was playing coach when the Dogs grabbed their last flag in 1988.

"We went through all this in 2006 but then we lost," he said of the history.

"I've got a pretty close relationship with my Dad.

"I'll call in and have a chat after training most weeks.

"He realises that things are different from when he played but the mental side of things hasn't changed.

"It's such a big game and you have to be ready to go."

Lewis desperately hopes brother Sam is ready to go on Saturday after a groin injury concern.

"It's pretty important (that we run out together)," Lewis said.

"We both left Warrnambool to come to Dennington and play footy together.

"It's no secret he's been battling away this year but he was up at the ground having a kick and a run (on Tuesday night).

"He's up and about and he's fairly confident that he'll be right."

Lewis was battling an ankle injury this season but after a tentative few weeks, regained his fitness and form.