GENT, Keith

A half-forward, Keith Gent came from Essendon Baptists-St John's to the Under 19s in 1963. He captained the Under 19s in 1964 and also won the Best and Fairest award. He played in the Under 19s State side in that year as well.

Gent played seven games in 1965 and 1966 before his career was cut short by war service in Vietnam. Based at Nui Dat, he served as a Private with the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. During his service, he was wounded by shrapnel, which cut through his sciatic nerve.

He resumed his career with Essendon Reserves in 1969 before joining Preston later in the year.

Gent then joined Brunswick from 1970 to 1972 before becoming captain-coach of Reservoir from 1975 to 1977 winning premierships in 1975 and 1976.

He returned to Essendon as assistant coach of the Under 19s in 1981 and 1982 and coach in 1983. He was then assistant coach of Fitzroy Under 19s from 1984 to 1987.