MPNFL 2019: Mt Eliza’s Damien Kent set for 300-game milestone

Hats off to Kenty: He’s been a loyal Mt Eliza Redleg since the age of five and on Saturday Damien Kent will play his 300th game.

Damien Kent will become Mt Eliza’s second 300-game player on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Damien Kent will become Mt Eliza’s second 300-game player when he lines up in the Redlegs’ reserves side on Saturday.

It’s a big deal...surely deserved of a banner, streamers, a big fuss, right?

Ah, no thanks, says popular “Kenty”, who is your old school low-key footballer.

“I’d rather not,” he says in response to the possibility of a fuss being made.

Loyalty has been the hallmark of Kent’s football journey at Emil Madsen Reserve.

He was five when he started playing juniors at the club and, at 36, he can be proud of the fact he is a one-club player — a rarity these days.

Damien Kent (right) burrows in for Mt Eliza.

Kent remembers his first senior game in 2001 under coach John Dugdale.

He was playing under-18s when he got a call up.

It was a star studded side — the Redlegs, with the likes of “Moo” Glenn, David Hassett, Ben Scott and Adrian Rijnbeek went on to win the flag that season.

“I snuck in for a couple (games) mid year,’’ Kent said.

“I went back out when the real stuff happened.”

Kent’s breakdown of games include 37 in the seniors and the rest in the reserves.

Not many footballers make it to 300 games and Kent has been extremely durable.

Modestly, he makes light of his longevity and ability.

Proud Redleg: Damien Kent. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Damien Kent coaching at quarter time in a game last month. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Damien Kent runs out for his 250th game in 2016.

“When you are slow and can’t jump and you are small there’s not much chance of getting injuries,” he said. “I’ve just battled through, mate.”

But Kent was good enough to win a league best and fairest in the reserves (in 2007) and former teammate and current Mt Eliza coach Nick Claringbold says he has been a fine footballer.

“He’s a runner, really skilful,’’ Claringbold said.

“He couldn’t kick over a jam tin but he never missed (a target). He was really skilful.

“He’s just a good teammate to have around to be honest.”

Kent also boasts one of the best coaching records going around.

He coached the Redlegs’ reserves to four consecutive premierships (2014-17) and played in five flags in a row.

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Kent also played in back-to-back reserves premierships in 2006-07.

“I’ve been pretty lucky, mate,” he said.

“We’ve had pretty good depth throughout the club so there’s always been a new good crop come through each year.

“Particularly in the twos, you are never far off it.”

Kent will join Chris “Jock” Meyer as Mt Eliza’s other 300 game player — Meyer played his 300th in 1992 — and is proud to do so.

“I think it’s more just playing a lot of footy at the one club,’’ he said.

“I probably could have gone somewhere and played a lot more senior footy but I’ve been there since I was five or six. The opportunity to play with a lot of mates (kept me there).

“Just to play footy at the same club is something I’ve prided myself on and always wanted to do. It’s more loyalty, mate.”