A rampaging Panmure outfit has done its finals chances no harm with a 67-point walloping of Dennington that saw premiership-winning Dog Luke Duncan hang up his boots on a losing note.
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The Chris Bant-led Bulldogs evened up their win-loss ledger and tacked on a healthy 12.47 percentage points, which put them in striking distance of the Warrnambool and District league's top five.
Errant kicking in the first quarter saw Panmure register 2.7 and leave the door ajar for Dennington.
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But Bant knew exactly what needed to change. And his quarter-time instructions helped lay the foundation for the Bulldogs' 16.21 (117) to 7.8 (50) triumph.
"The boys needed to lower their eyes a bit more, slow down and sharpen their kicks inside 50," Bant said.
Louis Kew continued his rich vein of form for Panmure, with his second best on ground performance in a row, while Jacob Moloney (four goals) was damaging in front of the sticks.
Bant was rapt with the performance, but said the Bulldogs needed to work on their forward entries and tackling pressure.
Dennington coach Mick Phillips said the Dogs would be without first-choice ruck Mitch Fogarty (knee) next week against Old Collegians after the big man injured himself in the side's warm-up.
But he said this allowed Tom Noonan a chance to shine, while fellow teenager Jack McCutcheon played his best game for the season in a defensive role.
Phillips said while the heavy loss made a "sombre" mood for Duncan's retirement, the 2015 premiership star had left a huge legacy at the club.
"We carried 'Duncs off and Panmure gave him a guard of honour, which was great, because they didn't have to do that," he said.
"He was the most passionate player we've had at the club since I've been there (2002). His will to win and not get beaten is second to none.
"If it wasn't for him, there's no way Dennington would have won that last flag."
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