The late Stan Wilson – considered one of the Warrnambool District Cricket Association’s finest talents –  is sure to be spoken about in glowing terms, top batsman Michael O’Keefe, former coach John Houston and loyal stalwart Terry Beks too.

Former club captains David Hunt and Ian Baudinette will be there next Saturday when Dogs, past and present, gather to toast its longevity.

They’ve seen or heard about the exploits of those rated most highly at Dennington.

Hunt, whose late father Allan ‘Adj’ Hunt introduced him to cricket as a youngster, believes Wilson’s record speaks for itself.

Wilson took 816 wickets in 188 games, including 82 five-wicket hauls, as he dominated in the 1950s.

“He came from Carlton and set up an accounting practice, Sinclair Wilson,” Hunt said. “His record is phenomenal. Stan would be the biggest name out of Dennington.”

Baudinette watched O’Keefe develop into a scoring machine in the late 1980s.

“In my time, Michael O’Keeffe was a standout young player,” he said.

“He first played in A grade here when he was about 16 until he was about 21.

“He made 300s, he made 150 in a final for us against Nestles at Merrivale.

“He went on to be the leading run scorer in Footscray and District cricket and became a legend at that club.”

The Dogs’ anniversary celebrations coincide with their match against rivals Nestles.

Hunt played in the Dogs’ A grade three-peat in 1994-95, ‘95-96 and ‘96-97 – a feat which came at the Factory’s expense and broke a three-decade long drought.

“I guess there was always a thought initally – how would we ever beat Nestles?,” Hunt said.

Baudinette, who was president in 1994-95, said that grand victory was sweet.

“That was the greatest game,” he said.

“It was two innings each, four days. It was a ripper.

“It went right down to the wire. It was like getting the monkey off the back.”

Dennington produced another purple patch in the 2000s, winning four flags in eight seasons under Houston.

“He had a very big impact and integral in the great success they had during his reign,” Hunt said.

“He’s gone on to do the same thing at Woodford so he’s a very good operator.”

Dennington will announce its team of the past 80 years on November 4.