The powerful midfielder began his career as part of a Hawthorn dynasty established by his famous grandfather John Kennedy as a player and the Hawks’ first premiership coach.
Josh’s father John Kennedy jnr was a multiple premiership player with Hawthorn.
Retiring Swans great Josh Kennedy at the SCG on Tuesday with wife Ana, daughter Isabella and son Emilio. Credit:Phil Hillyard
Josh played 13 games for Hawthorn but was unable to secure a regular place in the team and moved to the Swans to seek greater opportunities. I have played a further 277 games for the Swans, finishing on 290.
Kennedy spent much of the first half of the season as the medical sub as a new generation of midfielders such as Chad Warner and James Rowbottom continued to assert themselves.
For all the accolades Kennedy collected during his career, including the most contested possessions in the history of the game, Longmire claims it was the powerful midfielder’s ability as a big game player which shone brightest.
“’Joey’ was fortunate enough to play 22 finals. I think in 16 of those, he’s had 15 plus contested possessions. And I think that’s quite unique,” Longmire said.
Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal during the Swans’ 2012 grand final win over his former club Hawthorn.Credit:Paul Rovere
“In the 2016 grand finale, when he didn’t get the preparation that he probably would have loved, he came out the next day with 35 possessions and kicked three goals.
“He won our best player in a finals series award four times.
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“So the stats speak for themselves. You knew what you’re going to get out of Josh Kennedy every week during the home-away season, and then you’d go to finals and you knew what you’re going to get, which was another level of game. Very few players can say that.
“He’s been a true epitome of it inside mid[fielder].
“And he’s sat comfortably among some of the all time greats throughout his career, and, he’s as good a player as he is a person.”
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