CHRIS Lenehan feared the worst when he felt a hamstring tighten in the last round of the South West District league season.
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The Dartmoor defender had spent the season commuting to training and matches from Warrnambool, yet injury seemed certain to undermine his dedication.
He missed the Giants’ second semi-final triumph and wasn’t confident he would be fit enough to play in the grand final against Heywood.
But Lenehan, 30, never gave up hope. The hamstring began to improve early last week and was to the point where he could play come Saturday.
He finished grand final day with two medals hanging around his neck — the first for becoming a premiership player and the second for being best afield.
Umpires awarded the former Nirranda defender the AFL Victoria Country Medal for his efforts curtailing giant Lions forward Shane Keegan in the second half.
Keegan kicked three goals but could have finished with double that if it wasn’t for Lenehan, such was the amount of forward entries directed to him.
“I gave away a bit of height and weight there but I managed to grab a few and punch a few away from him,” Lenehan said.
“I couldn’t out-body him. I had to stand off him five metres, run at him and hopefully punch it away from him.”
Lenehan was one of three Warrnambool-based footballers who played for Dartmoor this year.
He joined former Dennington onballer Vinnie Ryan and former Old Collegians forward Justin Lynch in making the three-hour round trip twice a week.
The trio have been influential figures during the Giants’ unbeaten campaign.
“When you’ve got a few lads in the car, it goes pretty quick. A few beers on the way home, it’s all good,” Lenehan said.
Heywood coach Jason Saunders said he was proud of his players. The 16-point margin was the closest the Lions came to the Giants all season.
He lamented losing ball carrier Ben Millard to a knee injury shortly before half-time.
“We knew we couldn’t have a lapse. In that third quarter they kicked four or so on us. It was hard to come back from there,” Saunders said.