Category: Boys

Young Cannons too good for Jets

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons have retained the Shane Sexton McDonald’s Cup after a hard-fought 22-point win over the Western Jets in Round 12 of the NAB League season.

It was a scrappy affair at Highgate Recreation Reserve as no side registered a goal until the second term, with Calder holding on for a retentive 6.7 (43) to 2.9 (21) triumph. 

Despite the inaccuracy which plagued both teams, the home side booted five goals straight in the second half to run away with their sixth win of the season coming off a two-week break.

The ‘futures’ fixture required clubs to select at least 11 players who are currently in their 16th or 17th year, with team line-ups allowed to consist of up to 24 players. 

The Cannons fielded 13 bottom-age players who all showed signs of things to come. 

Sam Ramsay (31 disposals and eight tackles) was a clear standout through the middle of the ground, while fellow top-agers Curtis Brown (29 disposals) and stand-in captain Harrison Minton-Connell (27) were also prolific. 

Giacomo Thomas, Ben Overman, Cody Brand and Josh Hotchkin were the others to be named in the best players.

The Cannons also fielded brothers Ned and Flynn Gentile – the latter one of four debutants to take the field in the rivalry clash.  

The first quarter proved to be an eyesore with both sides registering a total of just seven behinds in gusty conditions. 

It took until the 19-minute mark of the second term before a goal was registered, with debutant Sam Paea snapping truly from the boundary line to break the deadlock. 

Calder’s nine-point half time advantage was short-lived as the Jets found a reply through Eddie Ford early in the third term.

And as it seemed the Cannons would be counting the cost of their missed opportunities early, back-to-back majors to Nathan Stewart and Mason Fletcher meant the margin was back out to 11 points at the final break.

Saad El-Hawli’s goal in just over a minute into the final stanza drew the Jets to within five points of the lead. 

But the hungry Cannons – in a show of resilience – never backed down or dropped their heads.

The Cannons flexed their muscles in the final stages of the contest with both Jackson Cardillo and Fletcher again capitalising on goal-scoring opportunities.

But the final major to 16-year-old Flynn Gentile – a classy finish on his opposite side – meant it was the sweetest of endings for a young Cannons outfit. 

Calder will look to carry the momentum into this Saturday’s contest against the Dandenong Stingrays at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Cannons selected in Under 16s Metro squad

The Calder Cannons will be represented by four players in this year’s NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.

Noah Candotti (Airport West), Joshua Goater (Sunbury Lions), Jack Newitt (Sunbury Lions) and Zac Taylor (Pascoe Vale) have all been selected in the final 28-player Vic Metro squad.

The four Cannons who form part of the 23-player Metro team (plus five emergencies) will begin their Under-16 Championships campaign on Sunday, June 16 when they take on Vic Country at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong from 12.30pm.

Both Metro and Country will then travel to Queensland for rounds two and three of the Championships, which feature games against South Australia and Western Australia on Monday, July 8 at Southport (Gold Coast) and Friday, July 12 at the Gabba (Brisbane).

Metro played its final trial match ahead of the Championships last Saturday at Preston City Oval, defeating Vic Country 12.8 (80) to 7.3 (45).

Taylor was impressive in the contest, racking up 21 disposals, 10 tackles and kicking two goals.

Calder Cannons Football Club wishes all four players the best of luck.

Cannons win ugly against Knights 

Calder Cannons continue rise up ladder after holding off Northern Knights 

Written by Jarryd Barca 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 boys improved their 2019 record to 5-4 after keeping the Northern Knights at bay on Saturday afternoon.

The Round 9 contest was originally meant for Highgate Recreation Reserve, before a late venue change saw the two sides do battle on a wet Preston City Oval.

The 10.5 (65) to 8.8 (56) result puts Calder seventh on the ladder leading into this week’s match against the highly-fancied Oakleigh Chargers. 

Midfielders Ned Gentile (21 disposals and five inside 50s) and Zach Molloy (20 and seven tackles) were both instrumental in a contested game, while Max Simpson and Curtis Brown created plenty of drive off the half-back flank.

Football Operations Manager Matthew Burton said many players stood up in the absence of Vic Metro trio Brodie Newman, Daniel Mott and Harrison Jones. 

“With our metro and PEGS kids unavailable, it’s given some others an opportunity at the level and it’s a real positive when you play four first-gamers and they’re all able to play their part,” he said.

“At this stage of the year it gives other kids an opportunity to stand up and perform when we have some of our better players absent. 

“The week also provides an opportunity not only for players but with Ross (head coach Ross Smith) with Vic Metro commitments it gives an opportunity for our aspiring assistant coaches to step up and enjoy the pressures of coaching,” he added.

“It was a pretty scrappy game but you always enjoy it when your side wins ugly.”

Both sides exchanged goals in the opening term and it was Cannons tall Jeremy O’Sullivan who took the game by the scruff of the neck early with three first-quarter majors.

With scores locked at 3.1 apiece and in a game where scoring was difficult, it was the Cannons who proved more efficient in the second quarter booting four goals to one to open up what proved to be a match-winning lead. 

A major highlight of the quarter was debutant Josh Eyre slotting a 45-metre snap on the run to finish off a great end-to-end team effort.  

With a 17-point half time lead in Calder’s advantage, the Knights were able to wrestle back control in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 10 points and ensure a nail-biting finish. 

Simpson and Jackson Cardillo’s final-quarter majors within a minute of each other drew the margin out to 22 points.

But two late goals to the Knights meant the final margin was pegged back to nine points at the final siren. 

The Cannons finished the game with 25 less disposals and three less inside 50s than their opponents despite keeping their winning record in tact with another victory. 

“Even though Northern led many of the stats – they beat us in every KPI we set – we were still able to win the game which was very pleasing,” Burton said. 

“We identified that Northern are a very contested side and they showcased that early on.

“After quarter time we were able to match that through our contested ball and competitiveness. 

“In every game there are always areas we identify we need to work on and we look forward to another great week on the track and having our second crack at Oakleigh for the year.” 

Power prove too strong for Cannons

Another slow start and goalless first quarter has hurt the Calder Cannons in Round 7, this time falling to the Gippsland Power by 51 points at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

Coming off two consecutive wins for the first time this season, Calder was looking to continue the momentum and climb up the NAB League ladder.

But Gippsland had other ideas and instead inflicted the Cannons’ fourth loss of the season with a 12.12 (84) to 4.9 (33) result.  

Inside midfielder Jacob Martin continued his strong form with another impressive performance, racking up 33 disposals and 10 clearances. 

Daniel Mott and Brodie Newman (25 and 22 touches respectively) were the other prolific ball-winners on the day. 

Fergus O’Neill’s 15 disposals and four tackles also stood out, while Jackson Cardillo and Kyle Baker shared the tackling spoils with five apiece. 

It was the third time in four weeks the Cannons were held goalless in the opening quarter. 

Despite having just one less scoring shot for the quarter, Calder found themselves stranded 16 points behind their more clinical opponents at the first break.

The momentum then shifted in the second term as Curtis Brown, who spent much of the day forward, sailed through the away team’s only goal of the half.

Gippsland’s three behinds meant the margin was 11 points at half time. 

The Cannons were much more competitive to start the second half but were for the most part out-bullied, the Power finding a way to kick seven of the term’s eight goals to open up a match-winning 47-point buffer in the blink of an eye.

It was two goals apiece in the final stanza but the damage had been done in windy conditions. 

The Cannons have now shifted their focus towards this Saturday’s Round 8 clash against the Murray Bushrangers in Wangaratta. 

The Bushrangers are currently 14th on the NAB League ladder with a 2-4 record but have a higher percentage (96.9) than the 3-4 Cannons. 

Goal Kickers: J. Cardillo, C. Brown, J. Hotchkin, J. Kemp

Best Players: J. Martin, D. Mott, N. Gentile, F. O’Neill, J. Hotchkin, C. Brown 

Back-to-back wins “reward for effort”

Calder Cannons finding form

Written by Jarryd Barca

While the Calder Cannons Under 18 boys recorded back-to-back NAB League wins for the first time this season when they downed the Bendigo Pioneers in a dour Round 6 battle, assistant coach Brad Murphy believes it was only a matter of time.

“You could argue a case that we should be 5-1, (we were) in front of Oakleigh at three-quarter time and they’re the best side in it apparently and we had our chances against Tasmania as well,” he said. 

“It is reward for effort. We only made one change as well this week which was a forced change, if Sammy Graham wasn’t playing tomorrow there probably wouldn’t have been a change made and that’s a sign of stability and a sign of faith from the coach as well to put the faith in the guys.

“I wouldn’t imagine that there will be too many changes again next week so it was great to get back-to-back wins.

“It was a good, ugly win.” 

Calder prospectively faced a tough start to the season with matches against the highly-fancied Sandringham Dragons and Oakleigh Chargers to kick off its 2019 NAB League campaign. 

But they’re 3-1 since that point and playing with a confidence that Murphy thinks can drive them forward for the remainder of the season. 

“We’re 3-3 which is reality and are stuck in the ruck, with games coming up against sides that are against us on the ladder,” he explained. 

“If we can win those then I don’t see why we can’t be in the top four.” 

Murphy puts the Round 6 win down to what has proven to be an uncharacteristic fast start to the game.

The Cannons kicked the opening four goals of the contest to kick off proceedings – the first time in three matches they registered a major in the first term.

“It was a real focus coming in, obviously winning the toss and kicking with a decent wind in the first quarter probably helped.

“And efficiency as well I think we kicked four or five goals straight and then maybe kicked a point after that so all those things added up to starting well.

“The main focus for us as well was tackling. I think we had 20 tackles in the first quarter and plus we were in front in possession in the first quarter so I think all those things added up to a really good start and probably won us the game in the end.”


Cannons too slick for Pioneers

Boys go back-to-back

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season following a monotonous 16-point win over the Bendigo Pioneers on the weekend. 

The 7.10 (52) to 5.6 (36) victory at Highgate Recreation Reserve was the side’s third in four matches after losing their opening two games in 2019, squaring the win-loss ledger to 3-3 after six NAB League rounds. 

Inclement skies above meant the contest at times turned into an eyesore.

Midfielders Jacob Martin and Daniel Mott – who played the second half as a defender – both collected 36 disposals and had the ball on a string throughout the entire day.

Second-gamer Josh Hotchkin’s 14-disposal and 31 hit-out performance was also compromising, while captain Brodie Newman – particularly influential in the first half – backed up his 36 touches and 17 marks from the previous week with a 21-touch and 12-mark outing. 

Calder’s tackle count – a high-focus element heading into the contest – of 76 was also its highest tally of the season. 

After two consecutive weeks of a goalless opening term, Calder was able to dominate play from the get-go to register the first four goals in the opening 10 minutes of the match. 

The slight breeze advantage aided the Cannons to a 21-point lead at quarter-time before the rain began to plummet.

The second term was a regressive scrap with Bendigo’s Caleb Fisher steering through the away side’s first goal 13 minutes into the quarter, before back-to-back majors to Cannons Mason Fletcher and Matthew Allison saw a match-winning 28-point lead open up at the main break.

With Calder coach Ross Smith shuffling the magnets around in the second half it was a less stabilised and clinical side that saw out the rest of the match.

Coupled with sluggish conditions under foot, the home side registered 1.5 in the remaining two quarters but held on to register their third win of the season. 

“We’ve found some good form, which is nice. We changed a few things in the way we move the ball and that’s paid dividends,” Smith told heraldsun.com.au.

“We’re trying to get some versatility into our side and show recruiters our players can play in a number of positions.”

Smith lauded inside mid Martin for a break-out performance in Cannons colours. 

“We’ve been waiting for Jacob to give us a little bit, we sat him out for a couple of weeks because his form didn’t warrant selection,” he said.

“He’s gone back and worked on a few things and he was our best player on the day, which was really pleasing.”

The win puts the Cannons ninth on the NAB League ladder with the side looking forward to a trip to Morwell this Mother’s Day to take on the sixth-placed Gippsland Power. 

Inside the Brodie Newman sanctum

Leader, self-taught hairdresser and everything else

Written by Jarryd Barca

Thirty-six disposals, 17 marks, seven rebound 50s and three tackles – meet Brodie Newman.

That was the output from Calder’s Under 18 boys captain in their Round 5 clash against the Geelong Falcons. 

Oh… and he’s a key defender.

But don’t be fooled, Calder sent the ball inside 50 more often than its opponent.

It was the second time the 18-year-old has led the disposal count for the Cannons this season and he is the second ranked player in the NAB League for average marks per game (7.5) despite missing Round 4. 

The 193cm defender’s impressive performance ironically came just two days after appearing on the ‘Cannons Uncovered’ podcast, where he singled out Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin as a player he keeps a close eye on as a high possession-winning defender.

Vlastuin collected 28 touches against the Demons on Anzac Day eve in a near best-on performance against Melbourne in Round 6 of the AFL.

“He’s a really hard worker. You know Richmond’s back six – Alex Rance, Grimes – they get a big wrap but the guys like David Asbury and Nick Vlastuin, I don’t think they get a big enough wrap,” Newman said.

“You saw last night he was the leading disposal winner for Richmond. He’s great, just someone I really like to watch.”

The aspiring defender acquitted himself with credence in the NAB League contest, often acting as a brick wall for Falcon midfielders and the mastermind behind many of Calder’s offensive thrusts. 

While he did his chances of being drafted at the end of the season no harm, he also lured nothing but praise from his coaches post-game.

“I thought Brodie Newman was outstanding across half back,” assistant coach Brett Gourley said.

“In terms of individual efforts it’s probably one of the best games from a Cannon that I’ve seen. 

“Obviously missing Brodie last week was a huge factor against Tasmania, he’s a quality player, a quality person and a quality leader. 

“We’re just happy any time that he steps out in a Cannons jumper because we know it’s going to make our job as coaches easier and also helps the players a lot as well.” 

Newman missed the side’s Round 4 match-up against the Tasmania Devils after being selected in the Under 18 Vic Metro squad.

Teammates Sam Ramsay, Curtis Brown, Harrison Jones, Campbell Edwardes and Daniel Mott were also selected to take on Vic Country.

Newman said it was a privilege to be a part of the squad and give himself another platform to prove himself as a capable footballer, now a chance to represent the Metro in the AFL National Championships in June. 

“It was the first real hit-out against Country and it was just good to get a feel for it above standard and hopefully I get the chance in June,” Newman said. 

“It was just good to get out there and have a hit with the boys, most of the boys that played we were with in early December and then early January on our camp so it was good to finally get a go with them actually on the field instead of just training.” 

Newman was in the Cannons leadership group last season and he admitted captaining the side was a major goal to work towards.

“To be announced captain of this group was something that I was really proud of and really honoured to be a part of,” he said.

“The bunch of boys that we’ve got this year are just fantastic, we’re a really tight-knit group as we talk about every week (and) nearly every day at training. To lead those boys out every week is just an honour, it’s fantastic.

“I’ve got Daniel Mott and Harry Minton-Connell by my side as vice captains and they’re great as well,” he added. 

“There’s plenty of leaders scattered who aren’t labelled as leaders but there’s plenty of them scattered throughout, even the younger guys coming through, they’re even standing up as leaders so they make my job really easy and at the end of the day I’m just another player.”

It’s everyone’s childhood dream to be drafted, but a sign of Newman’s maturity comes from his will to be the best possible leader. 

“I just want to play, personally, consistent footy and try to lead the boys as best I can and try and get the best out of the guys coming through,” he said. 

“It is the first time (for) some of the boys playing elite level footy, so (I) just try and be a role model for them. 

“As an 18-year-old you are trying to play your best footy and keep developing so it is finding the balance between being keeping that team-orientated mentality and also making sure that you put your best foot forward and show people what you can do.

“I think as a captain I’ve got to put the team first and that’s what I’m trying to do week in, week out.

“The leaders I had last year – Mitch Podhajski – the way they took the young guys under their wing was something that I found really helpful so I’m just trying to mirror that this year, that’s one of my goals.” 

The bachelor of business management student at RMIT said there are both pros and cons to no longer having to juggle Year 12 commitments with football anymore – like the vast majority of the league are currently doing. 

“In terms of individual efforts it’s probably one of the best games from a Cannon that I’ve seen.”

He also spends two days a week working at a freights and removals company and one night a week at local footy club Aberfeldie’s canteen. 

“Not being at school gives you a lot of time to relax, kind of do your recovery and focus a lot more on your footy,” he said.

“But you’ve got to keep busy when you finish and some boys struggle to do that and they just go into that footy orientated mindset, so I thought it was really important to do something this year.”

Perth-born Newman spoke of a specific ritual that he sticks by at every game that he plays.  

“I’ve got this really old pair of boots – they never get worn – but they just come to every game with me and just sit there in the bag, it’s a silly one but they just sit in the bag,” he said. 

“They never get chucked on.”

When questioned, Newman assured that the boots are not homogeneous to ‘Like Mike’ style basketball sneakers with super playing-ability powers. 

And if football and business management both don’t come off, Newman – who cuts his own hair every fortnight – could always derive a career out of hairdressing.

“I did a little trim, a little polish up for the boys down at the (Queenscliff) camp, It was six or seven boys who wanted a trim so I thought ‘yeah I’ll give them a trim’ and they were happy with it,” he explained.

The infamous camp cut was then known as ‘The Brodie’. 

If his performance against the Falcons is anything to go by, then Newman has no doubt dipped his toes into AFL waters. 

Listen to Brodie’s full interview on our podcast below.

Oscar’s emphatic return

Oscar Sasalu makes impressive comeback following scary concussion

Written by Jarryd Barca

Oscar Sasalu’s Round 5 NAB League performance turned plenty of heads; not only was it an influential output from the Calder ruckman but he was involved in a sickening concussion just one round earlier. 

It was five minutes into the Cannons’ away match against Tasmania in Round 4 when the 192cm utility was knocked out in a friendly-fire marking contest, resulting in a seizure and leaving the squeamish distressed. 

The Easter bye week separated the two rounds with doctors giving him the green light to compete against the Geelong Falcons. 

Sasalu’s availability proved critical and his return to the field was admirable, being named in the best players. 

“I don’t really remember anything from the concussion, so I thought I’d try not to let it bother me when I played today,” Sasalu said following the Cannons’ drought-breaking win on the weekend.

“I just didn’t think about it at all because there’s nothing you can do to stop yourself getting concussed, it’s an accident so just play how you usually play. 

“The recovery was alright, I just had a headache for a couple of days.”

Sasalu recorded 13 touches, 17 hit-outs, two tackles and kicked a crucial final-quarter goal when it was just a one-point ball game. 

“That’s the best game I’ve seen him play by a long way,” midfield coach Brett Gourley said. 

“To come back from what happened to Oscar down in Tassie is tough in itself but to come back and play the way that he did today I thought was just exceptional.

“He was influential in the ruck, went forward and made an impact as well and got to a lot of marking contests as well so we were really pleased with the comeback from Oscar.”

It was the first time in five years the Cannons defeated the Falcons in the Under 18 boys competition.

Geelong’s winning streak against Calder looked to be continuing when they booted the only two goals of the first term.

But the breakthrough victory came in the form of a hard-fought see-sawing contest at a windy Highgate Recreation Reserve, with the home team scraping through with a 8.11 to 8.4 win – the fourth time in five matches the Cannons have registered more behinds than goals.

“Inaccuracy has come back to haunt us a few times this year but we were lucky enough to have a few opportunities going forward and I guess it didn’t impact the result in the end,” Gourley said.

“We were off to a pretty slow start once again and I thought we let ourselves down just after half time as well. 

“It was nice to get the win but we just need to start putting together four quarters of consistent football a bit more.” 

Steering things back on track for their second win of the season was a big highlight from the weekend according to Gourley, but no matter the result it’s the connection between the current group of players that stands out the most.

“It’s really good to see them always sane and always positive – they work really hard,” he said. 

“I think the close wins always bond the group and if you can manage a few of those you can sort of see how tight it does make the group, so the boys were ecstatic with the win today and you could see it on their faces when they came off. We’re really pleased.” 

Calder’s four unanswered goals in the second quarter was responded by Geelong who all but levelled the contest to 40-39 at three-quarter time. 

Gourley said the coaches’ message at the break was to keep things simple and go back to the basics. 

“If we continued to apply enough pressure then the opportunities would come going forward so it was nothing different, but it was just continue to be consistent with our application and effort.”

Cannons break Falcons hoodoo 

Calder Cannons defeat Geelong Falcons for first time since 2014

Written by Jarryd Barca 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 boys snapped a five-year losing streak on the weekend after surviving a seven-point thriller against the Geelong Falcons at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

A win was crucial for Calder in the Round 5 NAB League contest who had lost three of its first four matches of the season and was coming off a dour loss against Tasmania before the Easter bye weekend.

The last time the Cannons were victorious against the Falcons was the 36-point win in Round 7, 2014 in the then-called TAC Cup.  

But the tables have now turned with Calder edging past its opponent and recording an 8.11 (59) to 8.4 (52) win on home soil. 

Calder was inspirationally led by captain Brodie Newman, whose 36-possession, 17-mark and seven-rebound 50 game steered the side to its second 2019 victory. 

Daniel Mott (29 touches) and Sam Ramsay (27) were the best of the midfielders and thrived on the output of ruckmen Oscar Sasalu and first-gamer Josh Hotchkin. 

Cannons small Ned Gentile also wore the number 27 VCMG guernsey with pride in a 21-disposal, three-goal outing. 

In a game full of momentum swings, a case of ‘same old’ was looming after again being slow out of the blocks and coughing up the first two goals of the match. 

But Geelong’s 12-point quarter-time margin was short-lived as the home side began to turn up the heat.

The Cannons’ efforts to dominate the territory battle in the second quarter went off without a hitch, but errant kicking at the goal face meant the home side put through five behinds before registering a goal.

Jacob Martin broke the dam wall after converting a set shot 14 minutes into the second term, before three majors in the next five minutes of the game saw the Cannons establish a handy 17-point half-time margin. 

The Cannons appeared to be well on the way to recording their second win of the season and shutting the curtains on a five-year losing streak against the Falcons, but the away team burst out of the blocks in the premiership quarter to ensure the fans a nail-biting finish.

Geelong rattled on the opening four goals of the windy third term and sent the challenge back on the home side after taking a one-goal lead.

Gentile put the home side’s nose in front with a goal against the run of play and with scores locked at 40-39 at the change of ends a tug-of-war contest was awaiting.

The 17-year-old Gentile emerged as the potential match-winner when he snapped his third goal of the game to kick off proceedings 40 seconds into the final stanza, taking the game by the scruff of the neck. 

From there it was goal for goal in an enthralling quarter, with Martin and Sasalu both saluting to add to the drought-breaking result.  

The boys will now regroup and look to win its first back-to-back game of the season when they host the Bendigo Pioneers in another double-header this Saturday. 

Gentile joins path of bravery and sacrifice

Still a privilege six years on

Written by Jarryd Barca 

They say when you’re on the footy field it’s like going to war.

But when former Cannon and Australian soldier Corporal Cameron Baird became the 40th Aussie soldier to die in the Afghan conflict in June, 2013, many Australians – including the Calder Cannons family – suddenly realised what it truly means to be intrepid and courageous. 

Corporal Baird’s devotion to being selfless was an attribute that came naturally to the son of former Carlton footballer Doug Baird. 

The Gladstone Park local was a talented footballer and was given the chance to represent the Calder Cannons in the then TAC Cup – where he was dubbed by many as the next Wayne Carey. 

Baird played alongside AFL champions Paul Chapman, Ryan O’Keefe, Jude Bolton and David Johnson during his time at Calder but was a shock non-selection in the 1999 AFL Draft. 

Instead he joined the army in 2000 where self-sacrifice was an expectation – something he had in spades. 

“I just hope that I can live up to what people wearing the jumper are expected to do.” 

In 2007 he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in a search and clearance operation of a Taliban stronghold, while he was also awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia in 2014 – the first ever posthumous recipient. 

The Calder Cannons Football Club has since awarded one player each season with the number 27 VCMG jumper – the number worn by Corporal Baird. 

The player who wears this jumper displays strong acts of selflessness, discipline, teamwork and a willingness to work above and beyond. 

This year Ned Gentile has been given the opportunity to represent the guernsey in all NAB League games this season – presented the jumper by last year’s worthy recipient and 2019 top-ager Tye Browning.  

Corporal Baird passed in defence of his country. His courage knew no bounds.

Neither does Ned’s.

“It’s pretty significant to a lot of people and to the club as a whole. To be presented that on jumper presentation night was pretty special and it’s a privilege to be given the opportunity that I have,” a humble Gentile said.

“I just hope that I can live up to what people wearing the jumper are expected to do.” 

The 17-year-old is enjoying his second year in the Cannons program and has played a crucial role in the opening four rounds of the season, carrying his head-turning form into their recent Round 4 loss against the Tasmania Devils where he collected 20 disposals, took eight marks and laid six tackles. 

Gentile simply plays with a resilient and determined attitude that instills confidence into his teammates and makes them walk taller.

“Wing is my preferred position,” he said.

“This season I’ve played mostly on a wing, (I’ve) gone through the mid a little bit as well and I like to go forward to try and impact on the scoreboard.” 

Ned Gentile (left) presented the number 27 VCMG guernsey by teammate and former recipient Tye Browning at this season’s jumper presentation.

Standing at just 175cm, Gentile said while he doesn’t tune in to watch one specific AFL player, he takes note of multiple when watching the footy who play with similar attributes – “one that is smaller and has to use things other than their size to get an upper hand on their opponent”. 

The Airport West junior has also played a lot of cricket, “but it was always going to be footy”, and now he’s trying to prove his worth in the newly-formed NAB League competition. 

And the end goal?

“Obviously everyone down here wants to get drafted, that’s our main goal. I’ll work as hard as I can to get my name called out at the end of the year,” Gentile said.

“But if it doesn’t happen, (I’ll) keep working at it and go to the next step, but hopefully we can have some success as a team and at the end of the year maybe some individual success as well.”

The young wingman admitted noticing the pressure of performing in Australia’s premier Under 18 competition.

But it doesn’t phase him. 

“I think it’s actually really good, it’s really healthy competition,” Gentile said of every player in the competition striving to be drafted.

“There’s blokes that want to play for each other as well as try to impress scouts for themselves, blokes going out there and you know they’re giving one hundred per cent every week because they want to show what they can do. 

“There is pressure but you just deal with it, you just go along and play the best footy that you can.” 

Gentile said he’s been impressed with the camaraderie between he and his 2019 Cannons teammates, kick-started by a mentally and physically gruelling pre-season camp in Queenscliff. 

“It really brought everyone close together,” he said. “There’s a few less blokes on the list than there were last year and it’s really brought us closer and closer.”

Forget about pre-game rituals, Gentile tends to head into the trainer’s room roughly 10 minutes before the opening bounce of a game, “but that’s just because I get a little bit hyped up sometimes”.

His energetic persona makes him popular amongst the playing group, but it’s Gentile’s desperation and never-say-die on-field attitude that saw him earn one of the greatest honours within the four Calder Cannons walls. 

Listen to Ned’s full interview in our Episode 1 of our podcast below.