Both premierships came in controversial Grand Finals: Over that time, Dandenong was runner-up to Preston in 1969,[8] Oakleigh in 1972,[9] Geelong West in 1975,[10] and Port Melbourne in 1976.

By 1983, the club was $100,000 in debt, and could no longer attract the high class of players it had fielded in the 1970s, relying instead on local talent; this in turn led to poorer onfield performances and a waning supporter base.

But while Sunshine and Camberwell soon folded, Dandenong fought back, raising $140,000 in sponsorship from local businesses resulting in the recruitment of five former VFL players,[14] including Tony Elshaug as captain-coach.

[15] Only two years later, Elshaug led Dandenong to the 1991 premiership, with a nine-point Grand Final victory against Werribee.

[16] From then, the club suffered from bad financial problems, in large part because it spent more money than it could afford during the 1991 season.