Midfielder Matthew Kennedy would have been stunned to hear Carlton wave him away to find a new home in 2025, finishing his tenure at seven years in the navy Blue, since he was only one of three Blues to play every game in 2024.
Kennedy gives any side looking for midfield depth a valuable layer of depth and a hint of forward craft, even though Carlton has no shortage of midfield talent.
Kennedy was selected with pick 13 in the 2015 National Draft. His breakthrough season didn’t occur until 2022, when he averaged almost 25 touches per game over 17 appearances as one of the main backup options for the Blues’ midfield brigade behind Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
Since then, he has lost favour with Adam Cerra and George Hewett, but he will probably get offers to take on similar roles elsewhere.
1. Collingwood
The Pies’ biggest aim is obviously developing more young players, but they would also greatly benefit from having an inside bull in Nick Daicos’ place during stoppages who is 27 years old.
With Tom Mitchell well past his prime, Jordan De Goey unreliable for an entire season, and Scott Pendlebury on restricted time, the Pies are relatively thin in the middle.
Their mainstays are Daicos and Jack Crisp, with Pat Lipinski primarily playing forward. Other young players like Fin Macrae, Lachie Sullivan, and Jack Bytel are still unknown.
Matt Kennedy may give the Pies the rock-solid depth and solidity they need in the centre if they want to quickly get back into the game.
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply