Pearson, a playing assistant coach, will notch up his 150^th match for the club in the Dogs' encounter with Merrivale in the Warrnambool and District league.

The wingman, who has featured in his team's best each week, said fitness had been the focus for the Dogs during the past fortnight.

"It's so we can push out the four quarters instead of putting in two to three-quarter games, where they come over the top of us," he said.

The 28-year-old said his side had also been working on its skills.

MORE FOOTY:

He said teammates had been pairing up prior to training with the aim of completing 50 kicks in a row without dropping the ball.

The Dogs mentor, who played juniors at South Rovers and had a stint at South Warrnambool, will run through a banner on Saturday to earn his Dennington Football Netball Club life membership.

The Warrnambool-based painter said a highlight of his career was playing in the Dogs' drought-breaking 2015 Warrnambool and District league premiership.

The Dogs, who beat Merrivale by eight points, hadn't won a senior premiership since 1988.

Dennington conceded the first seven goals of the match but staged an amazing comeback.

"The celebrations went for about a week," Pearson said.

"It was real good to see everyone up at the club, all the old players."

Pearson was coached by Darcy Lewis that season and said Lewis had been a key mentor during his career.

"He's a real good player to look up to," he said.

The milestone man said he had been enjoying his new role as a playing assistant coach to Mick Phillips this season.

"I pretty much help out 'Philly'," he said.

"I'll set up drills, take warm-ups and help pick the side."

Pearson was in the Dogs' leadership group for two years before gaining the promotion.

He said the Dogs expected a tough contest against the Tigers on Saturday.

"It should be a close game," he said.

"Hopefully we can stick out four quarters and get over the top."

Dennington is hoping to get its first win of the season after losses to Kolora-Noorat, South Rovers and Nirranda.

The Dogs will be bolstered by boom recruit Ben Thornton who will play his first match of the season on Saturday.

The young midfielder, who has returned to the kennel from South Warrnambool, could help Dennington turn its season around.

Thornton is the grandson of the club's games record-holder Noel Thornton.

He just returned from overseas.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.