A productive midfield-forward originally drafted by the Demons, Dean Kent played every game until a season-ending quad injury suffered in training. Averaging a tick under a goal, Kent made the most of enhanced senior opportunities, highlighted by a 20 disposal, three goal performance against his former employers. He is enjoying an uninterrupted preseason. The arrival of Daniel Butler adds selection pressure, though Kent is a different kind of player and should find his niche as a finisher who profits from Butler's work. Throughout his seven seasons on AFL playing lists, there has rarely been a suggestion of fantasy viability out of him as his output is too variable depending on other factors. Look elsewhere.
Kent back to the farm?
A productive midfield-forward originally drafted by the Demons, Dean Kent played every game until a season-ending quad injury suffered in training. Averaging a tick under a goal, Kent made the most of enhanced senior opportunities, highlighted by a 20 disposal, three goal performance against his former employers. He is enjoying an uninterrupted preseason. The arrival of Daniel Butler adds selection pressure, though Kent is a different kind of player and should find his niche as a finisher who profits from Butler's work. Throughout his seven seasons on AFL playing lists, there has rarely been a suggestion of fantasy viability out of him as his output is too variable depending on other factors. Look elsewhere.
Dean Kent comes across from Melbourne after a run of injuries looking for more opportunities in a poorer side. At the Demons he showed he could put up some serviceable numbers in a good side. But at St Kilda with a significantly inferior midfield and a less settled forward structure, can he reproduce those stat lines even if he is in form personally? The half forward flank was not a good position for Jack Billings or Blake Acres in previous Sainter campaigns, making Kent a questionable asset for fantasy coaches.
Can't give up on Kent
Regularly battling injuries, Dean Kent will be hoping that a change of club comes with it a change in luck. In his interrupted seasons at Melbourne, Kent has done enough to suggest he could be a productive footballer and fantasy scorer. As a high half-forward, some potential exists for him to score reasonably well. Changes of club can often be a good thing and makes Kent an option late in drafts. Even if his presence only means that better teammates can play up the ground, he's worth keeping an eye on.
DK off the short run
After seeming to cement his spot on a HFF for the Demons in 2016 with 25 goals then suffering a back injury in preseason, Dean Kent was dropped after only two games last year. That pattern happened twice again before a shoulder injury ended a forgettable campaign. The Demon selection committee evidently preferred Mitch Hannan to play the role Kent might have thought was his own. His average is misleading as around half of his scores are well below baseline, making it difficult to know when to start or sit him. Look elsewhere.
