Rowan sits on 96 goals ahead of his team's qualifying final against Nirranda at Mortlake's DC Farran Oval.

Former Merrivale spearhead Jet Dowie was the last player to reach the ton back in 2015.

Dowie hit 100 goals against East Warrnambool in round 14 that year.

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He said he would be attending the final on Saturday.

"I'd love to see the Tigers win and for Jason to get his 100," he said.

The 2014 Merrivale premiership player said he remembered the thrill of reaching the milestone.

"It's a pretty surreal feeling," he said.

"It's an awesome feeling and at the same time it probably doesn't sink in until afterwards."

He said it was probably something he could still be proud of in 20 years' time.

Rowan said he just wanted to playing his role for the Tigers.

"It's not the main focus going into Saturday," he said.

"It is a build up and people can talk.

"For me personally, going into Saturday is about playing my role for the team."

Rowan has kicked more than 100 goals for Hampden league club Warrnambool on at least four occasions.

He surpassed the ton in 2014 (112), 2012 (109), 2009 (110) and 2008.

Dowie said it would be a great bonus for Merrivale to have had the past two century-makers in the WDFNL.

"It's a pretty good record for the club to hold," he said.

No one in league has hit the ton since Dowie.

Tim Ryan kicked 93 for Kolora-Noorat in 2016, Gary Robinson was close with 98 majors in 2017 and Rowan finished with 72 goals last year.

Panmure playing coach Chris Bant kicked 102 goals in 2013 and fellow Bulldog Gary Robinson (now Nirranda) kicked 100 in 2012.

Dowie's 2015 was rocked by a rare heart condition.

After reaching 100 majors in round 14, he didn't play again until the preliminary final when the Tigers beat Allansford.

Dowie saw heart specialists during grand final week who advised him not to play in the decider.

He missed the game as the Tigers went down to Dennington by eight points.

Dowie stayed involved with the club and was runner during Jason Rowan's first year at the helm.

He's looking forward to watching friends Josh Sobey, Sean Barnes and Brad Kelly (reserves) this weekend.

Dowie, who hasn't had a chance to watch a game this season, said he'd heard great things about the Tigers.

"I think they've got a fair chance of going all the way," he said.

"Jason has done a good job of developing the kids the past two years."

He said beating Nirranda a fortnight ago and losing to Kolora-Noorat narrowly mid-season would give the Tigers a massive confidence boost going in finals.

The former player said Reid Oval, the grand final venue, would suit the Tigers.

"Merrivale, through and through, has always had a quick team and played well on big grounds," he said.

Dowie said the Tigers had been a quick team for the past 10 years.

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