DARCY Lewis is one game away from replicating the feat of his father Geoff – the last coach to guide Dennington to a Warrnambool and District league premiership.
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The Dogs booked the first berth in the 2015 grand final with a hard-earned win against Merrivale in the second semi-final on Saturday.
The 10.11 (71) to 7.7 (49) triumph came after they trailed by four points at three-quarter-time, having led for most of the match.
But a 4.3 to 0.1 final term, aided by a breeze blowing to the northern end of McLean Oval, allowed them to surge clear.
The result has boosted hopes the Dogs can end a 27-year premiership drought at Reid Oval in a fortnight.
Their last success came in 1988, when Geoff Lewis steered them to a 30-point win against Old Collegians.
But his son was cautious not to get too excited. Grand final defeats in 2010 and 2013 remain fresh in the mind.
“I’ve been here before and I’m still no closer to winning one,” Darcy Lewis said.
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves, we’ve got to keep doing everything right and get ourselves prepared and have another go.”
Lewis was rapt with the way his charges posted their third – and most important – win against the Tigers.
He highlighted the importance of their first-term efforts, when they held onto possession while kicking into the wind, starving their rivals of the chance to capitalise.
They led 3.2 to 2.4 at the first break, which became 6.7 to 4.6 when Luke Pearson dribbled a sublime goal from near the left-hand post shortly before half-time.
But Merrivale wouldn’t relent and kicked the first goal of the third term through Jet Dowie, who outmarked Jono Nevill and converted.
Gareth Crawford cut the margin further with a goal from the goal line and the Tigers hit the front through a Rhys Raymond free kick. But that was as good as it got for the reigning premiers, with the change of ends bringing about a momentum swing.
Jordan Greene started the late rout when he intercepted a Scott Kelly kick-in and goaled. Further majors from Jake Boyle, Greene and Jordan Scott sealed the win.
Onballers Shane Graham and Brandon Edwards earned best-afield plaudits but they were two of a host of contributors.
Chris Keilar booted three goals, Alex Pye was a key link man in attack and Luke Pearson was ever-present as an option at stoppages.
“When we’re up like that, it’s just a sigh of relief in the end. A good side like that is always going to come at you,” Lewis said.
“As good as it is to keep playing attacking footy, it’s always a sigh of relief when you’ve got the job done.”
