Slick and svelte Sydney champion Josh Kennedy has produced a midfield masterclass, racking up the footy for fun and kicking a telling final-quarter goal as he inspired Murrabit to a thrilling first win of the season.
The latest AFL great to return to the footy field as part of the 2023 Carlton Draft, Kennedy led Murrabit to a four-point victory over Wandella, 11.5 (71) to 9.13 (67), on an uplifting day for club, which had previously lost the first seven games of its 2023 Golden Rivers Football League campaign.
The highlight of Kennedy’s game came at the start of the fourth term. After gathering the ball at half-back, he shrugged a few players and kicked it further afield before working hard again to receive the ball at half-forward and nail a ripping goal on the run.
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Kennedy, who only retired from the AFL at the end of last season, wound back the clock with a dynamic midfield display, using his big frame to break through tackles, win plenty of the ball and set up teammates for scoring opportunities.
A witness at the ground told Fox Footy that Kennedy was “easily best on ground” and would’ve had “40-plus touches” for the match.
“Have a look at him. How fit does he still look?” triple premiership Cat Cameron Mooney said as highlights of Kennedy’s game played on Fox Footy.
Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson, with tongue firmly in cheek, added: “I heard he was counting his own stats. At half-time he walked in and said: ‘I’ve had 20 boys, just give me the ball.”
Kennedy post-game joined Murrabit players in the rooms to sing the team song for the first time this season.
He was spotted standing next to former Lions and Bombers goalkicker turned local footy star Damian Cupido, who also had a big game against Wandella with four goals.
But Kennedy — a premiership Swan and triple All-Australian — was made to earn the victory. He copped a huge bump at the start of the third quarter before getting a cut to the face, which required some medical attention.
Former Adelaide and Melbourne star Bernie Vince will be the next player to run out for a local team when he represents Maryborough against Gisborne on June 17 in the Bendigo Football Netball League.