Dennington midcourter Krystal Roads says there's a driving force behind the Dogs' premiership pursuit this season.
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The Dogs will face flag-fancy Nirranda in the second semi-final at Merrivale Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Roads said the Dogs want to take the cup for their coach Josie Bolden, who hasn't tasted the ultimate success at the top-level.
The Dogs leader wasn't in charge when the Dogs won three of the past four A grade premierships.
"We've never won for Josie so that's a great driving force," Roads said.
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Bolden, whose daughter Kristie plays in the team, was A grade coach in the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
The Dogs fell 36-27 to Merrivale in the 2012 grand final and lost to Old Collegians 48-40 in a preliminary final in 2013.
The 2012 decider was famous for how long it went for.
Fleming, a goal keeper, was taken by ambulance after sustaining an Achilles injury in the first half.
It meant play was moved to Reid Oval's second court.
Fleming's injury and a series of injury time-outs saw the match finish an hour after it was scheduled to end.
Roads said getting a premiership for Bolden was important to experienced members of her team including Fleming, Lani Keane and Jess Haberfield.
Bolden has otherwise had a decorated playing and coaching career at the club.
She mentored junior teams from 2003-2009, claiming one flag in the 15 and under grade and another in the 17 and under competition.
The Dogs legend also played in an A reserve premiership win over Russells Creek in 2007.
Roads has played with the Dogs for 15 years on and off. She has had three children, eight-year-old Kai, six-year-old Jet and four-year-old Indigo, during her career.
The wing attack, a 2016-17 premiership player, said her side was raring to go for Saturday.
She feels the Dogs haven't had a fair hit out against the Blues this season with goal attack Haberfield missing both matches.
Roads said there was definitely a rivalry between the two teams which faced off in the 2018 grand final.
"It's a challenge, you can tell they're a strong connected unit and have really talented individuals in their side," she said.
The Dogs veteran said the key to winning was to stop Nirranda in the midcourt.
She said her team would need to apply pressure as soon as the ball went back to the centre following a goal.
Roads said it was important to eliminate Nirranda's options.
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