Matthew Kennedy (footballer, born 1997)

For the former Brisbane player from the 1990s, see Matthew Kennedy (footballer, born 1970).

Matthew Kennedy
Personal information
Full name Matthew Thomas Kennedy[1]
Date of birth (1997-04-06) 6 April 1997 (age 27)
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

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.

Early life

Kennedy 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

Greater Western Sydney career (2016–2017)

Kennedy 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)

In 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–)

Kennedy was again traded after the 2024 AFL season, this time to the Western Bulldogs.[10]

References

  1. ^ Western Bulldogs [@westernbulldogs] (23 October 2024). "Get to know Chugga 🐶" – via Instagram.
  2. ^ AFL Record. Round 9, 2022. pg 85
  3. ^ Matt Kennedy and Harry Perryman putting Collingullie on the AFL map with GWS Giants
  4. ^ Waterworth, Ben. "AFL draft 2015: Matthew Kennedy finishes underage career perfectly, top GWS academy prospect". Fox Sports.
  5. ^ "Draft Pick #13: Matthew Kennedy". 24 November 2015.
  6. ^ Malone, Matt (21 June 2016). "Matt Kennedy's dream AFL debut for the Giants". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Deadline Day: All the last-minute AFL trades". 18 October 2017.
  8. ^ Riley Beveridge (19 November 2020). "Tough mid set for rookie lifeline as Blues delist four more". Australian Football League. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  9. ^ Cristian Fillipo (26 November 2021). "Blues upgrade Kennedy, Honey". Carlton Football Club. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  10. ^ @AFL_House (16 October 2024). "Four-club trade approved" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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