DEAN Kent, who made an outstanding contribution in his first match since round four, in Melbourne’s thrilling one-point win over Essendon at the MCG on Sunday night, said he was confident he could make an impact upon return.
Kent, who kicked two goals in the second half and had 18 touches, said he had the belief to show his wares after some strong recent form for Casey in the VFL.
“It’s good, the coaches have said I’ve been playing pretty good footy in the VFL and that came into the AFL game. I thought I was in form and ready for an AFL game, so I put my hand up and I was lucky to play well,” he told Dee TV.
“[Development coaches] Millsy (Brad Miller) and Fruity (Brett Allison) are onto you about consistent footy in the VFL, so I just took it in to the AFL.
“I was going into the game feeling fit and confident, so it was good.”
Kent said he was a bit nervous early on, after returning for his first match since playing in Melbourne’s opening win for 2014 against Carlton at the MCG.
“It was good. I was a bit shaky early and wasted a few kicks, but after that you get into the game and it was good to get onto a few goals,” he said.
Kent also kicked a magnificent running goal, highlighted by three bounces, in the final term.
“I got it on the wing and had a look over my shoulder, so I saw it was big Jakey Carlisle. I just started to put the afterburners on and had a few bounces and I was lucky to kick the goal,” he said.
Kent relished the victory – something that he’s tasted just twice, before the win over the Dons.
“That’s only my third win [from 18 AFL matches] at the Dees, so I always loved a win and so do the boys, he said.
“Coming back from where we were at half-time, Roosy (Paul Roos) wasn’t happy and the boys weren’t happy, but to come back like that in the second half was unreal and to get the four points was good.
“That’s what momentum does – you can’t stop momentum and we got hold of them in the second half and tidied up a few kicks, and got some shots on goal. We put them through the sticks and they couldn’t.”
