Lewis, 32, has inked a two-year deal with the Dogs, having previously coached the Warrnambool and District league club for three seasons.

The key forward said 12 months out of coaching — he led the Dogs in 2011, 2012 and 2013 — had reignited his passion for the top job.

Lewis replaces Ben Parkinson, who relinquished the role after one season due to work commitments.

For Lewis, a passionate clubman, the chance to guide Dennington again was one he wanted to grasp. “I missed it a bit, not coaching,” he said.

“It was good stepping away and concentrating on my own football but I enjoy being a playing coach and I only have a couple of years left.

“I am pretty happy the club offered it to me again and the playing group wanted me to get in and have another crack and that motivated me.”

Lewis coached Dennington to two finals series in his previous stint.

He took them to a preliminary final in 2012 and a grand final appearance in 2013.

Dennington’s last senior flag was in 1988.

Lewis believes the club is well-placed to end its premiership drought but needed to bolster its key position stocks. We probably need a couple more key players to strengthen the spine up,” he said.

“We have a really good spine but if we get injuries we’re in trouble.”

Lewis said the Dogs might look outside the club to fill those needs or internally and develop reserves or under 18 players for the roles.

He is committed to improving Dennington’s junior program in a bid to keep talented players at the club.

“We want to make sure Dennington is a club they want to stick around at,” he said.

Lewis said Parkinson brought fresh coaching perspective to Dennington this year, which in turn helped him broaden his own capabilities.

“I learned a lot off him as an assistant (the first time around) and took a lot out of what he did this year,” he said.

“He is very structured and football-minded and that’s something I took out of it.

“I try and coach the way I play — I am fairly passionate about the club and if I play like that the boys follow me.”

Dennington has started talks with its 2014 playing list and is confident the bulk of the preliminary final side will recommit.