The numbers may ultimately tell against him but there’s no doubt he’s squeezed every bit of potential out of his young roster.

The Crocs claimed the series with title favourites Perth 3-1 and have managed some of the mot thrilling victories of the season.

Dennis had also done it largely without Brian Conklin after the club parted ways with the reigning MVP in November.

They went within a whisker of upsetting the Hawks in Wollongong on Saturday before the class of Kirk Penney got the Hawks home. 

Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge was not short on praise for his former assistant post-match.

‘‘He was my right-hand man for a long time and I had him there for a reason because he made me look good. He’s an incredible coach,” Beveridge said.

‘‘What he’s done in Townsville is one of the great coaching jobs you’ll see, the way he’s got that group playing hard and playing together.

‘‘They’re a young group, they’re the most inexperienced team in the league. 

“They’ve beaten all the top teams this season and they probably should’ve beaten us [on Saturday].’’