He played for Dennington in 2004-05 when it finished runner-up to Warrnambool Gold on Western District Bowls Division’s biggest stage.

Now, 10 years on, Murnane wants to help Koroit Blue go one step better.

Koroit Blue is chasing a slice of history against Warrnambool Gold today.

A Koroit Blue win would not only end the two powerhouse clubs’ 21-year premiership monopoly but would be the Victoria Park outfit’s first Saturday pennant top-grade flag since at least 1958.

It suffered a humbling 59-shot loss to Warrnambool Gold in the second semi-final but responded with a strong win over City Memorial Red in the preliminary final.

“If we play well we have a good chance,” Murnane said. “We learnt a lot from a fortnight ago — didn’t come prepared and got a belting.

“Seven days later we showed what we can do.

“Warrnambool Gold have some really good players but we believe if we play well we have a chance.”

Murnane, 62, started his bowls career at Koroit at 17. He followed his parents in to the sport — his mother Norma is a 19-time Koroit singles champion — and played in the summer months during football off-season.

Stints at Belmont, Swan Hill, Corio, Barwon Heads and Dennington followed before he returned to where it all started this season.

Murnane said playing alongside fresh faces had reinvigorated his career.

“I think playing alongside new players gets your enthusiasm going again,” he said.

“This is my 45th year in the sport. You get a bit stale so the new ones playing rubs off on you.”

Murnane has strong connections to the club and is proud to be playing a key role as skipper in one of its brightest men’s teams.

“I think this is the best Koroit team to be put on a bowls green in 100 years,” he said.

“Barry Padgham, Shane Cashill and Alan Bell showed the young players what was required and because of that helped the young players over the past four or five years to mature and that is where the credit lies.”

justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au