SFNL: A Division 1 contender has added a former MPFNL, VFL star to its premiership push

A proven performer at both state-league and suburban level is the latest addition to a Southern league premiership contender. Here are the details.

Mitch Gent. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Another star is on his way to Souter Oval.

Former VFL and Mornington Peninsula league gun Mitch Gent has linked with Southern league power Dingley.

Gent played over 100 VFL games for Casey, where he was also a playing development coach, before becoming one of Bonbeach’s most important players.

He was one of the Sharks’ best during their grand final season in 2022 and was selected in the MPFNL team of the year squad this year.

Gent, 32, has a family connection to Dingley and has been a rumoured addition for several years.

Dingley coach Zach Horsley says Gent is a perfect fit for the Dingoes.

“He’s (Gent) super fit, understands the game really well and they’re core principles and ideas we want to impart on our group,” Horsley said.

“I think he’s going to bring great leadership and knowledge to pass down to our younger guys.”

Gent during his time at Casey.

Gent joins Chris Horton-Milne, Tom McCarthy, Jacob Duscher, Jake Mullen, Liam Hard, Jack Ferraro, Marcus Toussaint and Cam Saultry as Dingley recruits.

So where does the star ball-winner fit in?

“Mitch can play a variety of positions and has already said that in the conversations we’ve had,” Horsley said.

“He can go inside, he can go outside, he can go half back – wherever we feel he can fix that need of the game.

“That’s been our focus this year, we’ve had a midfield group of five or six but in finals we had to really scramble if one went down.

“This year we wanted to add depth in that area to be able to have some outside impacting other areas of the ground.”

Dingley has lost Rory Goldsmith (injury) and Trent Dennis-Lane (GWS) while Cam Hansen (Oakleigh District) and Josh O’Neill (Highett) are seeking further opportunity.

The loss of Dennis-Lane will change the look of the Dingoes up front but Horsley said he’s had players “chomping at the bit to take that on”.

Gent lines up for a shot at goal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Trent was a really big part of our offence, but he did miss seven games last year so we did have plans in place for games without him,” he said.

“While you can’t replace a guy who scores three or four goals a game, we feel we can get some players involved by moving them into a position to hit the scoreboard.

“We’ve definitely got players at the skill level and ability who are chomping at the bit to take that on.”

Dingley’s recruiting has revealed no secret: it’s chasing a new piece of silverware.

But Horsley played down Dingley’s recruiting objective, saying every club acts with similar purpose every year.

“I think everyone goes into the off season with the intention of putting a team together that is capable of winning the flag and we’ve been no different,” he said.

“We’ve tried to fix up some areas that may not have been weak points as such but we’ve tried to make them more of a strength.

“We’re making it harder for opposition to plan against us, we feel like we’ve added a more tactical advantage, some experienced guys and then some really good young talent.”