They’re two giants of the game.
Between them, West Coast’s Josh Kennedy and Fremantle’s David Mundy have played 663 games of the AFL and kicked 874 goals for their clubs.
It’s difficult to imagine WA footy without them.
When Mundy made his debut for the Dockers in 2005, several of his current teammates were still in nappies.
Josh Kennedy was traded to the West Coast at the end of the 2007 season for dual-Brownlow medalist Chris Judd. Despite Judd’s star power, the Eagles would comfortably say today they go the better end of the deal.
Because as well as being outstanding athletes, both Kennedy and Mundy are outstanding blokes.
Playing just one more season could see Mundy admitted into the exclusive 400-game club.
But in announcing his retirement, Mundy said he wasn’t tempted to chase individual glory.
“They’re very individual goals. I’m the kind of character where they’re very much secondary,” he said.
“I take a lot of pride in the fact that I’m walking out with a little bit left in the tank. I’d feel really guilty if I’d hung around and walked out a crippled, broken old man.”
When asked what he wanted his legacy at the club to be, the 37-year-old responded with characteristic humility which has made him a fan favorite for the best part of two decades.
“I don’t need to be remembered. I just came in, played my part and did my role,” he said.
Humility and decency are traits he shares with Kennedy, who will bow out as the Eagles’ greatest goalkicker with at least 704 to his name to go with 11 he kicked at Carlton prior to the 2007 trade which brought him home to WA.
In his 15 years at the club, he was part of a team that played in eight finals series, two grand finals and won the 2018 premiership.
Looking beyond retirement from the AFL, the Northampton product said he planned to give back to the community by establishing a JK Foundation.
“It will help to facilitate programs to find what they want to aspire to and then build an environment around them where they feel supported,” Kennedy said.
“I think the resources in the metro area compared to regional — obviously regional miss out a far bit in those resources.
“So if I can bridge that gap between city and country kids that’s kind of what I want to do.”
Even in his playing days, Kennedy has made time to help through the community through his ambassadorial role at MSWA and fundraising for his stricken hometown after it was left devastated by Cyclone Seroja last year.
Kennedy will play his final AFL game in front of a home crowd at Optus Stadium on Sunday when the Eagles take on Adelaide.
One lucky reader of The West Australian will take home a piece of club history by winning Kennedy’s match-worn jumper.
To enter the competition to win Kennedy’s match-worn guernsey, look for the unique code on today’s front page and enter it online at thewest.com.au/jk by noon on Monday.
And Freo fans don’t fret — we’re planning something big to mark Mundy’s retirement soon.
Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie
.