By Marcus Uhe
Over the Christmas period, the News’ sports team will be re-sharing some of the most popular stories from over the course of 2024.
Thank you for supporting our newspapers over the course of the year. We hope you enjoy the selection and have a wonderful holiday period, however you choose to celebrate.
Peter Gentile may only be 24-years-old, but his leadership and seniority within the Narre Warren premiership side was evident for all to see.
Returning to the club on a full-time basis after two years back and forth with VFL side Northern Bullants, Gentile secured premiership number three for the Magpies after successes in 2019 and 2022.
A combination of injury issues and the difficulty of the hour-long commute from Berwick to the Northern Suburbs contributed to his decision to focus all of his energy into local football, with the Magpies the obvious major benefactor.
His time at Preston was a far cry from the successes that are almost inescapable at the Magpies – no wins from his 14 games, and an average losing margin of 115 points in his seven appearances last season.
By contrast, the Magpies lost three matches in the previous two years, maintaining their status as a local football powerhouse.
“It was tough to be honest, I didn’t win a game,” Gentile said of his time at the Bullants after Saturday’s premiership win.
“So from that perspective it’s tough, especially when you train with the lads and you get barely any wins.
“But from my perspective it’s held me in good stead and I’m grateful to everyone at the club that’s helped me along the way.
“Similar to here, the people are great, especially with a standalone club I guess…It’s pretty much like a glorified local club I guess as opposed to AFL, (where) players come in and out.
“Without trying to put any shade on the local club, it’s just a level above, but the camaraderie, the mateship is all the same.”
His versatility allowed Steven Kidd to deploy him in various roles in the midfield, behind the ball and as a deep forward, making him the ultimate Swiss Army Knife.
His move into the middle against Woori Yallock in the second semi-final was a major catalyst in arresting a disastrous start, while playing behind the ball in the second half against Wandin in round 15 produced a similar outcome.
On grand final day, two goals in the opening quarter contributed to the Magpies’ blistering start that ultimately carried them through to premiership success.
“I say to all the coaches all the time, I don’t mind where I play – wherever helps the team so if it needs to be in the midfield, if it needs to be back, I really don’t mind at all,” he said.
“I think against Woori Yallock, to be honest the back line probably held up really well to be fair – we were just getting smashed out at midfield so to be able to go in there and have an impact to sort of turn the game on its head is really pleasing personally, but I think there were a few other midfielders who came with me.”
Having benefited from playing alongside some all-time greats of the club when he first broke into the senior side, he hopes he can repay the favour to the emerging stars of the current squad in the years to come.
“Just personally, it’s a while ago now it feels like, but when I was 18, 19, the lads above me – Collo (Michael Collins), Trent Cody, all those lads, there’s a number of them and even Scalz (Brad Scalzo) who has played his last game today – they did a lot for me so if I can just pass on any of my knowledge onto the younger lads, I think there were a few boys who were 19 or 18 today, yeah if I can impart any knowledge on them and help them out with their footy and help improve them that’s something I really enjoy.
“I’m stoked to be here and can’t see myself leaving any time soon.”
