Why $50,000 NRL SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan

SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.

Blake Gentle just won $50,000 as NRL SuperCoach champion and he already knows his first expense.

He is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and the buck’s party is this weekend in Melbourne.

“I’m sure I’ll have to shout. He (Flanagan) will milk me for all I’m worth,” he says.

“We grew up together. We are great family friends...”

“He stays away from SuperCoach so we don’t really chat about it, but every now and again he asks how he went on the weekend.”

Gentle, a 25-year-old electrician from Cronulla, still plays A-Grade in the halves in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

He once teamed up with Flanagan at school to win the GIO Trophy with De La Salle College.

“The halves in that team were Kyle and (Bulldogs NRL player) Jaemon Salmon,” he said. “I was relegated to bench hooker duties that day.”

SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle (left) with Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan.

SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle (right) is childhood friends with Kyle Flanagan.

He is also family friends with NRL brothers Blayke and Jayden Brailey, whose finals fate goes on the line this weekend with the Sharks and Knights respectively.

Throughout his school and local career, Gentle also won premierships alongside Kade Dykes and Sam Stonestreeet (both Sharks) and played with winning NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson.

Gentle comes from a long line of rugby league royalty.

Uncle, Peter Gentle, is a former assistant coach of the Australian Kangaroos. He also acted as head coach at the Broncos when Anthony Seibold was axed in 2020 and has held roles at the Dragons, Eels, Tigers, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Hull FC.

Grandfather, Ken, coached the Wests Magpies’ first grade team from 1984-85.

Father, David, was a trainer for the Sharks during their 2016 premiership win.

(L-R) SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle, brother Bryce, Sharks player Blayke Brailey, Knights player Jayden Brailey and Dragons player Kyle Flanagan.

HOW HE’LL SPEND THE WINNINGS

Other than a few beverages at Flanagan’s bachelor party, Gentle is keen to set himself up in the property market.

“I’m trying to save up all my pennies at the moment to try and get a place of my own – I’m still at home,” he said.

“I’ll probably put it towards a deposit for a unit or save it and look at getting a house down the track.”

“That’s the main priority but otherwise I could be looking at a little trip somewhere.”

Jahrome Hughes led our own @DaveyCampbell85 to a second place finish - and he may be the only one glad he didn't finish higher 🥹

Congrats Dave!#SuperCoach#NRLpic.twitter.com/qKQ4WucxfW

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) September 9, 2024

HOW MUM’S BIRTHDAY ALMOST COST $50K

Gentle nearly cost himself victory with a fundamental mistake.

“In the last round I did the loophole and almost butchered it completely.

“I played Jake Tago as the captain to loop Jahrome Hughes (187) and Tago ended up being 18th man.

“But I didn’t realise he was in the team because I was driving to the city for my mum’s birthday dinner.

“He ended up playing as 18th man and he didn’t actually get on so that was a saving grace.

“That was the hardest game I’ve ever watched.”