Dingley makes it back-to-back premierships, belting Bentleigh in the Southern league grand final

The dominant Dingoes had one hand firmly grasped around the premiership cup at the 15-minute mark of the second quarter when Dan Farmer booted their 10th goal to extend the lead to 58 points.

And when popular Dingley captain Tony Lavars snared their 21st goal late in the final term, Shane Morwood’s all-conquering heroes were only minutes away from wrapping up a 22-16-148 to 6-5-41 whitewash.

Lavars was swamped by most of his teammates, who had only learned at three-quarter -time that it was the stalwart’s last game.

And what a way to go out! The Dingoes were relentless all day, opening a chasm between them and the rest of the competition that may take some closing.

The dashing Chris Horton-Milne won the nod for the Meneilly Medal for best afield, but it could have easily gone to a host of others, so polished was the Dingoes’ performance.

Dan Farmer was on song up forward and finished with five goals, while cohort Callam “The Dream” McQueen booted four, missing many others.

osh Ferguson was outstanding through the middle, while Marcus Freemen (two goals) was always dangerous. And of course, the reliable Lavars was just as good in his final game as he has been in so many others in a stellar career.

“It’s very exciting — I couldn’t have asked to go out in a better way,” Lavars said after the final siren.

“I’ve got mixed emotions right now, but I’m rapt to go out on top.”

For coach Shane Morwood, the achievement of successive flags was still sinking in.

“It’s a bit surreal actually,” he said among the wellwishers.

“The guys were awesome today. I have sensed over the last few weeks that they were ready for this contest.

“They played finals football the way you need to play it and they would have beaten anyone today,” he added.

“We had a few off weeks recently, but today you saw the real Dingley Football Club.”

For the besieged Demons, four-quarter players were harder to find, but skipper Scott Lawry again led from the front and was well supported by ruckman Andrew Walsh, Todd McLean, Spencer Daly and Ben Morrison, while Tom Backman tried hard all day.

Bentleigh coach Paul Dimattina simply pleaded with his players at three-quarter time to play for some pride.

“We know this is shot to pieces and we’ve got no bench left, but spend everything you’ve got and at least win the last quarter.”

And although the Demons were outscored in the final term, it was the most competitive quarter of the game.

As Morwood observed, nobody would have stopped Dingley last Sunday.

Dingley 3.4, 11.8, 18.14, 22.16 (148)

Bentleigh 0.0, 1.1, 4.2, 6.5 (41)

GOALS, Dingley: D. Farmer 5, C. McQueen 4, R. Rusan 2, M. Freeman 2, C. Horton-Milne 2, J. Ball 2, K. Davidson 1, L. Bartholomew 1, J. Ferguson 1, M. Morwood 1, T. Lavars 1. Bentleigh: B. Lawford 1, L. Hogton-Hewish 1, B. Blow 1, S. Daly 1, K. Swinden 1, S. McGarry 1

BEST, Dingley: C. Horton-Milne, D. Farmer, J. Ferguson, C. McQueen, M. Freeman, T. Lavars.

Bentleigh: S. Lawry, A. Walsh, T. McLean, S. Daly, B. Morrison, T. Backman