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Jay Kennedy-Harris has excited Demon supporters from day one.
Affectionately known to the Melbourne supporters as JKH, he has enthralled AFL watchers with his elegance and finesse, bringing some much-needed pace to the Melbourne forward line.
Kennedy-Harris has impressed thoroughly since being drafted at number 40 during last year’s draft. The speedy youngster has played nine games for the Demons thus far, and has shown his class.
The miraculous goal against Adelaide, in which he spun out of the way, regaining himself and kicking the ball through the big sticks, revealed in just one moment what a star he could be.
The class he displays, along with the speed which he can generate, has had some comparing him to club legend Aaron Davey, who himself received the nickname ‘Flash’ for his ability to outrun nearly every player in the AFL.
The former Oakleigh Chargers player showed the comparisons to Davey in his first full AFL match for the club against the Blues, running down debutant Patrick Cripps in style.
“We’re very big on pressure on the other team, but it’s just a natural way that I play the game,” Kennedy-Harris said after the Carlton game.
His natural game is certainly making an impact on Melbourne fans, who are excited after three wins from nine games, already more than last season.
The youngster, not afraid to make his opinion heard, constantly asked the coach to play a full game of footy, not just as a substitute.
“Kennedy-Harris came to me and said, ‘Can I play this week? Can I play this week?’,” Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.
“I said, ‘Leave it with me, I know the bloke who picks the team’.
“I said to him before the (Blues) game, ‘Don’t worry, I spoke to him (the coach, and) you’re in’.”
Roos’ faith in Kennedy-Harris payed off, as the club recorded its first win of the season by 23 points.
“As much as I enjoyed being the sub and getting a taste for it all, I wanted to get the full hit-out and feel what it was like to go through the full four quarters of AFL footy,” Jay Kennedy-Harris said.
Kennedy-Harris is one of many new Melbourne players who have been recruited by Paul Roos, marking a new era in the club’s history.
After the shocking performances from last season, Melbourne has shown enormous improvement as a football side, with players such as Kennedy-Harris making major impacts.
Kennedy-Harris has the ability to become one of the best players in the history of the club.
At just 19 years of age, his ability is remarkable, and under Paul Roos he is only going to get better.
Watch out for JKH, Melbourne fans. With his extreme pace, you just might miss him.
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