Matthew Thomas Kennedy (born 6 April 1997) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants from 2016 to 2017, and the Carlton Football Club from 2018 to 2024.
| Matthew Kennedy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Matthew Thomas Kennedy[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 April 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | San Isidore, New South Wales | ||
| Original team(s) | Collingullie-Glenfield Park (Riverina FNL), GWS Giants Academy | ||
| Draft | No. 13, 2015 AFL draft | ||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 90 kg (198 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Western Bulldogs | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2016–2017 | Greater Western Sydney | 19 (7) | |
| 2018–2024 | Carlton | 99 (50) | |
| 2025– | Western Bulldogs | 0 (0) | |
| Total | 118 (57) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life
editKennedy is from the small town of Collingullie, New South Wales. He participated in the Auskick program at Collingullie.[2] He and former Giants teammate Harry Perryman played together for most of their junior career.[3] Kennedy was recruited from Collingullie-Glenfield Park Football Club in the Riverina Football Netball League, where he played in consecutive senior premierships in 2014 and 2015.[4] A member of the Giants' academy program, he was drafted by the Giants with the thirteenth selection in the 2015 AFL draft, matching a bid from Richmond.[5]
AFL career
editGreater Western Sydney career (2016–2017)
editKennedy made his debut against the Essendon in round 13 of the 2016 AFL season. In an impressive performance, he kicked three goals as the Giants defeated Essendon by a 27 points.[6]
Carlton career (2018–2024)
editIn October 2017, Kennedy was traded to Carlton.[7]
Carlton demoted Kennedy to the rookie at the end of the 2020 season to make salary cap space due to the coronavirus pandemic;[8] but after a successful 2021 season he was re-elevated to the senior list for 2022.[9]
Western Bulldogs career (2024–)
editKennedy was again traded after the 2024 AFL season, this time to the Western Bulldogs.[10]
References
edit- ^ Western Bulldogs [@westernbulldogs] (23 October 2024). "Get to know Chugga 🐶" – via Instagram.
- ^ AFL Record. Round 9, 2022. pg 85
- ^ Matt Kennedy and Harry Perryman putting Collingullie on the AFL map with GWS Giants
- ^ Waterworth, Ben. "AFL draft 2015: Matthew Kennedy finishes underage career perfectly, top GWS academy prospect". Fox Sports.
- ^ "Draft Pick #13: Matthew Kennedy". 24 November 2015.
- ^ Malone, Matt (21 June 2016). "Matt Kennedy's dream AFL debut for the Giants". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ^ "Deadline Day: All the last-minute AFL trades". 18 October 2017.
- ^ Riley Beveridge (19 November 2020). "Tough mid set for rookie lifeline as Blues delist four more". Australian Football League. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Cristian Fillipo (26 November 2021). "Blues upgrade Kennedy, Honey". Carlton Football Club. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ @AFL_House (16 October 2024). "Four-club trade approved" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links
edit
- Matthew Kennedy's profile on the official website of the Carlton Football Club
- Matthew Kennedy's playing statistics from AFL Tables