Josh Kennedy doesn’t look like he should be giving the game away.
The towering West Coast Eagles forward announced his retirement during the week and his final game played out like something we’re used to seeing on the big screen.
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The Crows spoiled the party as they recorded the 16.6 (102) to 13.8 (86) win, but it was still Kennedy’s day as he slotted a stunning eight goals in his final AFL outing.
Kennedy got it started in the first quarter when he slotted the Eagles’ first three goals before slotting another in the second to head into the break with four to his name.
Fans watching on were calling for the Eagles to keep targeting him and he responded with two more in the third quarter.
The Eagles entered the final quarter down by 17 points and a valiant effort saw them soar back into the contest with Kennedy slotting his seventh and eighth goals.
Kennedy had a chance to kick his ninth and level the scores, but he pulled the shot left and watched it sail through for a behind.
“Missed the easiest one of the day, but look it was a great fight. Adelaide brought the contest but it was a good game to be a part of for me last game,” Kennedy said on Fox Footy after the final siren.
“I’m a bit emotional but it has been good.
“I’ll have a few beers tonight and then I’ll probably reflect on it over the next couple of weeks. It’s been an amazing journey. I’d like to thank the club, the fans… it’s been a crazy journey.
“The boys were looking for me a fair bit, they were feeding me all day so I was lucky enough to get around a few so it was good to finish off like that.”
The Optus Stadium crowd rose as one as Kennedy made his way off the ground as both the Eagles and Crows players got together and formed a guard of honor.
Kennedy’s career began back in 2005 when he was taken with the fourth pick in the National Draft by Carlton. I have played 293 games throughout his career and tallied 723 goals.
After two seasons with the Blues, Kennedy was involved in a blockbuster trade that sent him to the Eagles and brought Chris Judd to Carlton.
His final outing had the footy world in utter disbelief as his eight goal outing was the most in a single game throughout the 2022 season.
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