EDFL Division 1: Ned Gentile boots 11 goals in Airport West’s big win

An Airport West star is in the conversation of local footy’s best small forwards while a big off-season recruit is close to a return to the senior side after a stunning reserves display.

Ned Gentile is quickly establishing himself as one of the best small forwards in local footy.

The Airport West star continued his incredible start to the season with an 11-goal haul to lead the Eagles to a stunning 25.9 (159) to 11.10 (76) win over third placed Roxburgh Park in Division 1 of the Essendon District league.

It was his second double figure effort of the season after he booted 10 against Craigieburn in round 2.

Gentile now sits at the top of the competition goalkicking charts with 28 majors, one clear of Tullamarine star Shaun McKernan, despite being held goalless in two games this season.

He has already eclipsed the 18 goals he kicked in 2021.

Airport West coach Trent Rogers said Gentile’s performance was one of those days where “everything he touched pretty much turned to gold”.

“He hit everything at full speed and I think that was the most impressive part of his game,” he said.

“The delivery from up the ground was terrific and I thought Ned really benefited from that as well. The conditions allowed us to play a fast brand of footy which suited our forwards.

“He’s got a great mark for a small forward and if the ball hits the deck he’s got that fantastic ability to beat his opponent.

“He’s an extremely hard player to beat in a one-on-one contest.”

Ned Gentile has been in outstanding form for Airport West. Picture: Andy Brownbill

While Gentile rightfully won plenty of plaudits, Ibrahim Taha and Joel Brown were also impressive with three goals apiece.

Tyson Young was outstanding in his return to the side while Daniel Sinnott and Ivan Pavlovic also performed strongly.

Rogers believed the “superb” condition of Roxburgh Park’s ground and its size allowed his team to play some of their best footy of the season.

“I thought we linked up across the ground very well,” he said.

“We play on a smaller ground on our home deck so it was good to see the boys open up the ground and use all the space.

“It was a finals like game being first against third and I thought we handled the occasion really well again because Roxy is a hard place to go and get a result.”

Airport West has kept its perfect record alive. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Despite coming out on top by 83 points, Rogers admitted he was a “little disappointed” with his side’s final term.

Roxburgh Park kicked six goals to two to close out the game.

“Consistency is still an area we want to keep growing in,” he said.

“Speaking to the boys after the game, I said we need to be craving progression more than anyone.

“A lot of pieces of the puzzle, which has been in place since the start of last year, are all finally starting to come together.”

The Eagles could still get stronger on paper with Jesse McVeigh and Muhammad Saad both missing the match.

Meanwhile, off-season recruit Luke Sultana made a strong return from injury in the reserves with three goals in a best on ground display.

Reigning league medallist Nikola Hrkac kicked two of his own in the midday game.

“Our depth is one of the reasons for our strong start and it means there is plenty of pressure for spots in the team,” Rogers said.

“Luke’s coming off a hamstring and we couldn’t have been happier with the game he put together.”

Airport West will be strong favourites to continue winning ways against the winless Sunbury Kangaroos next weekend.

Roxburgh Park faces another huge test against Tullamarine.