JKH signs on til' 2017

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Light, on a grimish day:

MELBOURNE has re-signed exciting young forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, tying him to the Demons for a further two seasons.

The 19-year-old, who had one year to run on his existing contract, has extended his stay at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney told AFL.com.au Kennedy-Harris was a key part of Melbourne's future plans.

"We're happy that Jay has signed on for another two years," Mahoney said.

"He showed some good signs in his first year and has developed further this pre-season and we look forward to what he can produce in the coming years."

The 173cm small forward played 14 games in his first season in the AFL and started as the substitute on six of those occasions.

But he was quick to make an impact in his time on the ground.

His tenacious tackling pressure was important for the Demons, while he also displayed a nous for goal that Melbourne had lacked in recent years.

Kennedy-Harris kicked nine goals and averaged 10 disposals per game in his debut year.

However the inclusion of former Blue Jeff Garlett this season is sure to help Kennedy-Harris, with the pair set to form a damaging small forward combination.

"We see Jay playing a role in our forward line," Mahoney said.

"We're really looking for him to continue to improve on some of the signs that he showed last year."

The 19-year-old spent more time in the midfield when playing for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL and averaged 22 disposals per game at that level last season.

Kennedy-Harris was drafted by Melbourne with selection No.40 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, joining Christian Salem (pick No.9) in playing football at AFL level in 2014.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-02-16/kennedyharris-signs-new-contract

Edited February 16, 2015 by The Song Formerly Known As

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Just read this. Really, really good news.

Despite Petracca's devastating injury, this club is without doubt now on the right track.

I feel positive about everything - just annoyed that I don't get to see Christian in action in 2015.

JKH, Kent and Gartlett will be exciting in the forward line this year.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Just read this. Really, really good news.

Despite Petracca's devastating injury, this club is without doubt now on the right track.

I feel positive about everything - just annoyed that I don't get to see Christian in action in 2015.

JKH, Kent and Gartlett will be exciting in the forward line this year.

Summed it well Ron. Seeing the young kids sign on for the future always warms the heart. I'm looking forward to seeing him form a handy small forward combo with Garlett over the next few years.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,856]

Good news.

No doubt he's gained some more confidence coming into this season and a bit of size, really looking forward to seeing what he brings this season.

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

He ran top 5 in the time trial, uses the ball smartly, has shown an ability to find it and find the big sticks. Petracca might be out of the forward line mix but yes I do hope JKH, Garlett, Kent and others can add some speed, excitement and goal kicking power

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Great news. Fantastic young player. Look forward to watching his progress over the next few seasons.

[monoccular 17,424]

Great to have some good news after the earlier downer.

I am looking forward to watching his develop further after a solid debut season.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,046]

Great news and great timing. I wonder if he signed today or if they just decided to release the news today. Great PR move if the latter, a good way to offset the downer of Petraccas' Knee.

[Deez 298]

fantastic

[Lord Travis 10,728]

Good news for the club. JKH had a solid debut season. With more fitness he has the skills and smarts to move through the midfield for stints as Roos stated numerous times. I think JKH is gonna be a good player for us. Here's hoping he has another good development year and add more strings to his bow. One of my favorite youngsters at present.

[Demon Jack 6,907]

Added a presence of forward pressure last year that I haven't seen since Aaron Davey's forward days. Happy to see him sign on for an extra couple of years. Should prosper with being able to crumb off guys like Hogan, Dawes and Gawn as well as having an experienced hand in Jeff Garlett to teach him a couple of tricks.

[Yossarian 1,820]

Great news. Looking forward to seeing JKH, Salem and Kent's development in the coming season.

[Gorgoroth 12,947]

Good to see, I think once he can play small parts in the midfield as well as forward he will be a very good player for us.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Good news for the club. JKH had a solid debut season. With more fitness he has the skills and smarts to move through the midfield for stints as Roos stated numerous times. I think JKH is gonna be a good player for us. Here's hoping he has another good development year and add more strings to his bow. One of my favorite youngsters at present.

Yep, well put LT. The kid has footy smarts and some class about him, and while he isn't the fastest small forward going around, he knows how to get to the right spots. I'm hopeful he can form a terrific partnership with Jeffy Garlett in the coming seasons.

[What 18,810]

Love this kid. Has star potential and great leadership qualities to go with it.

[McQueen 17,864]

I like the arrogance he shows on the field. Whilst not being a smartarse, but has definitely got a bit of strut about him.

Great to have kids learning ropes full of confidence.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I still firmly believe that when he was on the ground last year Melbourne looked to be a far more dangerous team.

[Pates 9,660]

A great find, great talent to burn. Well done JKH, looking forward to watching you light up the G with Garlett in '15.

[nutbean 8,838]

I like the arrogance he shows on the field. Whilst not being a smartarse, but has definitely got a bit of strut about him.

Great to have kids learning ropes full of confidence.

This is it for me.

He has enormous confidence in his own ability ( with lashings of skill to back it up) - it will keep opposition guessing - is he going to pass it off first time or is he going to take me on ?

[old dee 23,787]

This is it for me.

He has enormous confidence in his own ability ( with lashings of skill to back it up) - it will keep opposition guessing - is he going to pass it off first time or is he going to take me on ?

I am looking forward to seeing him this year last year IMO we saw a number of cameo performances in some early games.

The opposition clubs paid him some respect after the first half of the year and his second half of the year was not as good.

Consistency is needed in 2015.

It is his second season so some improvement will be good for the team.

Not sure how he and Garlett fit in the same team but lets see who puts in the best performances this year

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Not sure how he and Garlett fit in the same team but lets see who puts in the best performances this year

I'd love to see one play up the ground while the other plays at the feet of Hogan/Dawes, and they rotate throughout the game. That's how I see it anyway.

[BrisbaneDemon 1,572]

I am looking forward to seeing him this year last year IMO we saw a number of cameo performances in some early games.

The opposition clubs paid him some respect after the first half of the year and his second half of the year was not as good.

Consistency is needed in 2015.

It is his second season so some improvement will be good for the team.

Not sure how he and Garlett fit in the same team but lets see who puts in the best performances this year

We can only hope for a Gartlett and Betts scenario. would be brilliant!

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I'm a massive fan of JKH. As others have said, he's not the fastest small forward going around, but what he lacks in speed he makes up for in agility and creativity.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,166]

Great news. The kid can seriously play and has the attitude and drive to boot. I suspect with more maturity will end up more mid who pinches forward.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,503]

Very happy to hear he has signed on!

I think his position in the team for the start of the year is dependent on whether Kent is ready for midfield time yet. If Kent is being seen as a mid and not a half forward, JKH and Garlett could make a very dangerous small brigade.