As the Green Machine motors towards the finals for the first time since 2005, the Lakers have moved quickly to re-sign first-year coach Battistello.

He was a surprise appointment to the position of senior coach at Wendouree Reserve, the 26-year-old crossing from Ballarat to take up the position in November last year.

While spawned under some haste, the pairing of coach and club has proven to be an outstanding one.

"We're extremely happy with how Mathew has handled the position in his first role as a senior coach," Lake Wendouree president Gavin Maher said.

"There has been a marked improvement in all players at the club, including things like endeavour but also their willingness to be involved around the club.

"We see plenty of improvement to come too.

"We're impressed with how the fitness has improved, so I'd contribute the improvement in performance entirely to Mathew.

"Obviously it didn't hurt that we picked up some good players during the summer, but Mathew's appointment (as coach) helped there too," Maher said.

Lake Wendouree meets Sunbury in an elimination final at Sunbury on Sunday.