A KEY weapon will be in the arsenal of Wickliffe-Lake Bolac as it looks to snap a run of grand final disappointment.
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The Magpies will play Tatyoon in the Mininera and District league grand final at Alexandra Oval in Ararat on Saturday.
While Wickliffe-Lake Bolac has won all its 18 games this season, it is also coming off grand final losses in 2016-17.
Former Dennington forward Darcy Lewis is an important addition for the Magpies for their 2018 quest for glory.
Lewis knows what it takes to win premierships, having led Dennington to the Warrnambool and District league flag in 2015.
That win broke a 27-year premiership drought for the Dogs.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac’s wait for a flag has not been as long, it last saluted in 2013, but the club is keen to break its recent run of grand final losses.
Lewis, 35, believes history will not play a part in deciding the grand final result.
“There has been no talk about what might have happened in the past,” Lewis said.
“There was a whole swag of new players to the club this year and we have just focused on what is ahead.
“There is a really good feeling around the club.
“There was a big turn out for teas on Thursday night and all the supporters and players are excited about getting the chance to play in a grand final.”
Lewis will be joined in the Magpies team by Dennington premiership teammate and fellow key forward Chris ‘Boots’ Keilar.
Originally from Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, it was Keilar who got Lewis to the Magpies.
“I kept Boots at Dennington for 10 years so when he asked me to come up for a season I thought I owed him that,” Lewis said.
“I’ve loved it, like all footy clubs there are plenty of good people, it’s a great club to play at.
“For the first time in my career I have had some soft tissue injuries but I am fit and ready to go now.”
The Magpies are coached by brothers Joe and Nigel Otto.
It has been an impressive season from Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, with the majority of its 17 home-and-away wins by healthy margins.
These included a 38-point win over Tatyoon in round four and then a massive 164-point victory over the same opponent in round 14.
In the second semi-final, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac defeated Penshurst by 66 points.
Tatyoon grabbed its place in the grand final with a 41-point win over Penshurst in the preliminary final last Saturday.