DARREN Ewing has etched his name into Hampden league folklore, booting his 100th goal of the season and firing a warning at Warrnambool's finals rivals.
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The 32-year-old booted four majors as Warrnambool cruised past Portland to celebrate an 89-point victory at Reid Oval on Saturday.
Ewing, who re-joined Warrnambool in the summer after 10 years with Northern Territory Thunder, was delighted to reach the milestone.
"It's something I'll look back on later on. Being a full forward, the goal is to kick goals, so I was pretty happy," Ewing said.
"Being a full forward and sitting on 98 goals you sort of do think about it.
"If it happened, it happened, if it didn't, it wasn't the end of the world. It was all good though and we get ready for finals next week now."
Ewing praised the Blues' midfield unit for their delivery and contested work.
"We probably let ourselves down last week (against South Warrnambool) in the midfield so the boys did well to win the contested ball.
"I think Dan (Weymouth) in the ruck really fed them well and when the ball is coming down quick it helps."
Ewing said he'd celebrate his 100-goal feat over dinner with his wife.
Warrnambool coach Matt O'Brien described Ewing's season as "remarkable".
To kick 100 goals in 18 games is remarkable - that's averaging more than five a game.
- Matt O'Brien on Darren Ewing
"He's been such an asset for us," O'Brien said.
"To kick 100 goals in 18 games is remarkable - that's averaging more than five a game.
"He's pretty clever. He's not a big pack mark, he just uses his body well.
"People don't realise what he does on the ground also - his second efforts are terrific and he sticks his tackles."
O'Brien said Ewing's impact stretched beyond game day.
"He gets around at training and offers advice and he's just a brilliant trainer," the second-year coach said.
Warrnambool kept Portland goalless until after half-time. O'Brien said his men focused on beginning well pre-match and reaped the rewards of a strong start.
"We got off to a really good start - we got into the forward line while it was still dry and hit the scoreboard as well," he said.
"We were 10 goals up at half time and then the rain came and it became a bit of a slog.
"I thought our pressure was good. Our midfield was excellent, and our entries into the forward line were a bit cleaner so that was good as well."
Portland coach Tom Sharp said Warrnambool's fast start was hard to match.
He said the decision to send Tyler Watts back helped stem the flow of Blues' goals.
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