Dean Kent

St Kilda forward Dean Kent announces retirement

The 28-year-old will play game 100 on Sunday.

Published by
Mitch Keating

St Kilda forward Dean Kent has announced his retirement from the AFL, with Sunday's clash with Sydney to be his 100th and final game in the league.

The Saints confirmed on Friday that Kent will feature in their Round 23 match, a game that will be his second of the season after featuring in Round 1.

Kent has played 36 games for St Kilda since joining from Melbourne at the end of 2018, the club where he made his AFL debut five years earlier.

The Western Australian joined the Demons as the 48th selection from the 2012 National Draft, playing 63 games in the red and blue.

“It’s been a pretty injury-laden run, but I’ve loved every minute of it,” Kent said.

“My beautiful partner Elle and I are about to have our second child, so this really feels like the right time to step into life after footy.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Dean Kent of the Demons elbows Chris Masten of the Eagles while Jamie Cripps is in the hands of trainers during the round 22 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Dees for making my six years there so much fun. To everyone at the Saints, the last four years have been great and I can’t thank you enough.

“I’d also like to thank my family and friends for always being a shoulder to cry on or there to celebrate the wins with. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Kent will join Dan Hannebery in playing his final AFL match on Sunday against the Swans at Marvel Stadium.

Published by
Mitch Keating