WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - BEN KENNEDY

[watchtheeyes 1,417]

Hasn't really had much of a run of it by the sound of things:

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/117240/Ben-KENNEDY

Sounds like he was saddled with the sub a lot, then dropped the next week. Smashes it in VFL then brought up to sub then dropped the next week. Don't really know how the poor fella is supposed to develop any confidence at AFL level.

VFL performances definitely read a lot better than Toumpas's.

[watchtheeyes 1,417]

http://footyprophet.com/class-of-2012-ben-kennedy/

Ben Kennedy is another in the recent influx of ball-winning small midfielder/forwards, and it is probably his size, along with Collingwood’s seemingly endless supply of similar players, that has result in him seeing limited senior gametime so far. With the ‘Pies midfield seeing a significant reshuffle over the off-season however, Kennedy is in a prime position to push for more first team action.

Despite playing in Collingwood’s 2014 opener against the Dockers, Kennedy failed to make a best 22 berth consistently his last year. In actual fact he made only 7 more appearances, of which in 4 he wore the green vest, leaving him with a less than inspiring average of 44.5 points. A closer look tells a different story however.

In the three games that Kennedy started he averaged 74 points, including an 82 against the Suns which got him featured in our Eyecatcher series. This is mirrored when including sub-affected games and looking at his points per minute stat – he scores 0.74 on average. This consistency was also very evident at VFL level.

Kennedy was regularly in the Collingwood VFL best, and finished the season with a very impressive average score of 105.25 points at that level. Particularly of note was his 7 game 100+ streak including back to back 140+ scores against Box Hill and Footscray, and also the fact that his weekly score didn’t dip below 70 for the entire year. His preference for boot over handball, and high percentage of uncontested possessions, further ticked the fantasy boxes.

This kind of form is certainly more indicative of his junior form in which he averaged 26.2 disposals (number one at the Championships), kicked 9 goals in 5 games, and saw him score fantasy points at a rate of 1.15ppm – more than Jaeger O’Meara, Lachie Whitfield and Jack Macrae. It’s also more indicative of the player that Melbourne considered using their pick 4 for instead of ultimately opting for Jimmy Toumpas.

Kennedy has pace and agility in bucketloads and combined with his powerful kick it makes him the ideal player to burst from packs and deliver the ball inside 50. He did this to fine effect at the U-18 Championships, where he finished as the number one midfielder for score involvements, and also kicked the highest number of goals among midfielders.

Part of the reason why Kennedy could not take his junior form to the senior level was the compartment syndrome he suffered in his calf muscles. The debilitating condition meant he struggled to run out games, especially when moving from the short format junior game to the longer senior ones. After having successful surgery in the off season last year, and with another full pre-season, those issues should be a distant memory and this year he will be well primed.

I would expect Kennedy to push players such as Jarryd Blair, Josh Thomas and Sam Dwyer for a first team place in a high half forward role, and if he does he could easily average in the 75-80 range. If he looks like getting some time in the middle, however, then he could prove to be a real bolter.

Edited October 7, 2015 by watchtheeyes

[DemonOX 8,782]

Hasn't really had much of a run of it by the sound of things:

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/117240/Ben-KENNEDY

Sounds like he was saddled with the sub a lot, then dropped the next week. Smashes it in VFL then brought up to sub then dropped the next week. Don't really know how the poor fella is supposed to develop any confidence at AFL level.

VFL performances definitely read a lot better than Toumpas's.

I just hope his VFL form translates into good AFL form cause we have been here before.

[angrydee 842]

If Port prefer the toump to Kennedy (they could do a direct swap), why?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

If Port prefer the toump to Kennedy (they could do a direct swap), why?

The type of player that Toumpas is meant to be (outside runner with good skills) is what they are after.

[Ted Lasso 19,284]

Maybe kennedy likes melbourne?

[rpfc 28,255]

Maybe kennedy likes melbourne?

Do you need to say that with an upward inflection?

It is possible...

[Wiseblood 24,637]

With Aish requesting a trade to the Pies, and Treloar still probably ending up there as well, does that make our pursuit of Kennedy a little easier?

[bing181 9,193]

With Aish requesting a trade to the Pies ...

Requesting and getting, not quite the same. Lions certainly talking tough.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Requesting and getting, not quite the same. Lions certainly talking tough.

And so they should. Draft a bloke with their first pick in a draft and he bolts after 2 years. I hope they play hard ball and make the Pies cough up something good.

[dee-luded 2,959]

The type of player that Toumpas is meant to be (outside runner with good skills) is what they are after.

Port probably think they can develop Toump, like they did Hartlett. Hartlett, iirc, was a slow starter in the AFL

[SaberFang 7,151]

And so they should. Draft a bloke with their first pick in a draft and he bolts after 2 years. I hope they play hard ball and make the Pies cough up something good.

I hope he ends up at Carlton just to make a statement to all the entitled 20 year old little shits in the comp who think they can just waltz into whatever club they want to attain immediate success.

[KLV 1,765]

I hope he ends up at Carlton just to make a statement to all the entitled 20 year old little shits in the comp who think they can just waltz into whatever club they want to attain immediate success.

I agree, he sounds like an unpleasant individual

[Adam The God 30,122]

I hope he ends up at Carlton just to make a statement to all the entitled 20 year old little shits in the comp who think they can just waltz into whatever club they want to attain immediate success.

Well, didn't he barrack for them as a kid? He wouldn't be too concerned about that, I wouldn't think.

[spirit of norm smith 16,268]

Pies get MFC pick 27 (2nd round)

Demons get Kennedy and Pies pick 49 (3rd round).

Fair??

[Members' Wing 1,106]

Pies get MFC pick 27 (2nd round)

Demons get Kennedy and Pies pick 49 (3rd round).

Fair??

No, that's too much. Will/should be a 3rd rounder.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Members' Wing

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Can go skating with Hogan...

Edited October 8, 2015 by The Song Formerly Known As

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

[dazzledavey36 54,239]

Derek Hine this morning mentioned this morning that Ben Kennedy has already indicated where he wants to go. Didn't mention the club but im guessing its us?

What we need to give up?

[SaberFang 7,151]

Hopefully not our second rounder!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Toumpas to Port

Young to the filth

Kennedy to us?

[PaulRB 6,342]

The Age reporting deal for Kennedy to Melbourne almost done...

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trade-period-2015-day-two-20151012-gk7h5z.html

[ChaserJ 5,005]

Pretty decent summaries on Kennedy from when he was drafted by the Pies:

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2012-11-22/no-19-meet-new-small-forward-ben-kennedy

Love how they included a Bigfooty write up.

[Mach5 4,767]

Pretty decent summaries on Kennedy from when he was drafted by the Pies:

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2012-11-22/no-19-meet-new-small-forward-ben-kennedy

Love how they included a Bigfooty write up.

I'm gobsmacked.

[What 18,810]

The Age reporting deal for Kennedy to Melbourne almost done...

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trade-period-2015-day-two-20151012-gk7h5z.html

Excellent , will be a nice pick up. Will be interesting to see how we get him.