Retiring Sydney Swans champion Josh Kennedy hasn’t given up hope of a fairytale return during the AFL finals, but he doesn’t expect it to come to fruition.
Kennedy announced on Tuesday he will be retiring at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old made the decision last week and just days later injured his left hamstring while playing in the VFL.
Kennedy missed eight weeks earlier this season after tearing his right hamstring in round 10 and it remains to be seen how severe his latest setback is.
The 290-game veteran wasn’t able to break back into the AFL side in recent weeks and faces an uphill battle to win back a senior spot in the finals even if his latest hamstring injury isn’t a serious one.
Kennedy says he’s at peace with his fate, no matter what happens over the next seven weeks.
“It’s a hope, not an expectation,” Kennedy replied when asked about his bid to play again this year.
“If it doesn’t happen it doesn’t change anything. I’ve got nothing but love and admiration for the footy club.
“I’m very content with where I sit right now. At least I’d love to finish the year and train and feel part of it that way.
“I am (at peace). It’s as simple as that.”
If it was up to Kennedy he would have quietly walked away from the game at the end of the season and faded off “into the sunset”.
But coach John Longmire was having none of it.
“We just wanted to bring him out of himself because there’s so many people who want to say thank you and recognise his contribution to the footy club,” Longmire said.
“He’s been one of the greats and he deserves a terrific send-off.
“He is a big game player. He’s been fortunate enough to play 22 finals games and 16 of those times he’s had 15-plus contested possessions.
“That’s quite unique. In the 2016 grand final he didn’t get the preparation he would have loved, but he’s come in and had 34 (disposals) and kicked three goals.
“You knew what you were going to get out of Josh Kenedy every week during the home-and-away season and then you’d go into the finals and he’d go another level again.”
Kennedy played 13 games for Hawthorn, the club his father and grandfather were icons at, but moved to the Swans at the end of 2009 to seek greater opportunities.
It was a move Kennedy felt he needed to make and it reaped massive rewards.
Kennedy won three All-Australian jerseys, three best-and-fairest awards and a premiership during his time at the Swans.
He also finished third in the 2017 Brownlow medal.
Kennedy labelled Chris Judd, Nat Fyfe, Joel Selwood, Ben Cunnington, Scott Pendlebury, Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge as among the toughest players he’s lined up against.
JOSH KENNEDY
Age: 34
Games: 290 (13 at Hawthorn, 277 at Sydney)
All-Australian: 2012, 2014, 2016 (all at Sydney)
Best and Fairest: 2012, 2015, 2016 (all at Sydney)
Premiership: 2012 (Sydney)
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Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Glad to have you aboard :silly: :laughing: :silly: :laughing: :silly: :laughing: :silly: :laughing: :silly: :laughing: :silly: :laughing:
Chief Keeffe
Roar Rookie
This was very funny until I realised you were serious hahaha
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's really hard to do much on local sportsmen because their times of birth are usually not known. Whereas international Sports people (mainly individual sports like tennis, golf, boxing, but cricketers too thanks to the Indians, etc) actors, actresses, politicians, historical figures more is known. -------- Basically the Sun is your core being, Moon your emotional disposition, Mercury communication / intelligence, Venus is desires, Mars your drive, Jupiter, your luck, Saturn your discipline, Uranus your level of quirkiness/serendipity, Neptune your dreamscape, Pluto your use of power (the last 3 collectively describe how you fit into generational influences) and Chiron your health. The Signs they fall under supply the narrative. -------- This has come to me much later in life. I've been into it deeply for 8/9 years now. But l have 17 obsessions, if you don't like this one, l have others. I pick women at about 40% success rate, men at about 25%, women are way more interesting to me. If it was left to chance, as rendered by percentages, it should only be 8.5% of the time.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Please do
Kevo
Roar Rookie
That's a pretty accurate summary I would have thought! I can see recruitment by the stars consultations opening up for you at the Crows.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
(the post above run the gauntlet and got thru) I’ll do SS JK tomoz
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Well WC JK has a very strong Earth Energy chart. He has Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars in the first ⅓ of Virgo, Neptune in Capricorn and Jupiter almost in Taurus. 7 planet's in the 3 Earth Signs. Dependability, Reliability plus. Doesn't seek his own. Power is way more important than glory. Saturn and Uranus in the sign of the sportsman, Sagittarius, Saturn- discipline, Uranus- something unusual about his sporting capability,? Maybe his unusual kicking style.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I need to look at it in more depth. Gangjadin Airways Flight 008 112 has just landed. Food for thought: Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams are both born Nov 5, different years ofc.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Rowdy are you able to give an astrological reading on how it could be the 2 Josh Ks have retired in the same week.....and both not that dissimilar in their great achievements, standing and low fuss approach in the game. I think it's ok if you need to pull out the tarot cards for this one.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Of his time he was the best midfield bull in his prime. Amazing legacy he has come from and one he will leave with the Swans. The 2 Josh Ks retiring in the same week, both outstanding unassuming champions.
Chris M
Guest
Peter, I think most of the Geelong boys you mentioned have won multiple premierships although it has been long enough between drinks to feel like it’s a distant memory. If Collingwood’s Pendlebury and Sidebottom win another one before they retire, I think at their age they may appreciate their second one more than their first. My guess is that there is probably more satisfaction in reaching the ultimate goal of why you are playing, the pinnacle achievement of being a premiership player, later in your career, not that you don’t want it early in your career too.
Chris M
Guest
From Josh’s comments at his press conference, Josh is working to recover from his hamstring injury before the end of season, hoping rather than expecting to get back into the team. He would, as you say, be an excellent and worthy choice as a medi-sub if he recovers in time and the Swans play in a grand final. Who knows how far the Swans will go and if there will be any opportunities for him due to the form of or injury to other players, or the needs of the team against a particular opponent?
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Well done Joey, thank you for the memories. Former Swan Kieran Jack described you as “the toughest player I have played with or against”. Can’t get a better wrap than that. You were a blood from the moment you arrived. Hope these young stars learn from your competitive nature and humility.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
As a Hawks fan you would have to say he's the one that got away. But then you look at the Hawks midfield squad at the time. Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Ellis, Bateman, Sewell & Burgoyne signed to start in 2010. He left because he couldn't get a start in that midfield. I wouldn't think even the most optimistic Swans recruiter could have imagined what he would go onto to achieve in his time at the Swans. Champion player.
XI
Roar Guru
Two of the best Joshes Kennedy you could ask for. Glad they each got a flag.
1dawg
Roar Rookie
Interesting Peter. Congratulations Kennedy on a great career :laughing:
1dawg
Roar Rookie
You knew what you were getting everytime he stepped on the field. I'm sure all clubs would love that type of fella. On and off the field. :thumbup:
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
Brian, Can you complete the story, I like the intro
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Interesting Chris. For Geelong and Collingwood from a year earlier, (2011 GF) only Selwood, Hawkins, Duncan, Pendlebury and Sidebottom remain.
Angela
Roar Rookie
He will be very much missed. Great sportsman, exemplary on and off the field, terrific role model - inspirational and modest (I refuse to use the over-used, nauseating Uriah Heepish 'humble' word). Go well Josh.