West Coast coach Adam Simpson has marveled at Josh Kennedy’s extraordinary performance in his final game after he kicked eight goals to write himself into AFL history.
No player in the history of the national competition has kicked more goals in his final match and only Fred Fanning, who kicked a VFL record 18 goals in 1947 before walking away from the Melbourne Football Club as a 25-year-old, had a better last game than Kennedy.
“Can you imagine kicking eight goals in your last game? It will probably never happen again,” Simpson said.
“I was just so happy for him and for what the boys were trying to do. To get rewarded and have a game like that – unfortunately we couldn’t get that last bit and get the four points.”
Josh Kennedy. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Pictures
Kennedy turned back the clock with his effort during the 16-point loss to Adelaide. He hadn’t kicked eight goals in a game since 2016. No player had managed eight goals throughout the league this season and Kennedy equaled Lance Franklin’s record for the most goals at Optus Stadium.
He said it became obvious early that his teammates wanted him to finish his career with a bag of goals.
“Someone handballed to Boots, he was shoulders out and we had JD long inside the 50 and he looked inboard to try to handball it back to me. That was probably the moment,” Kennedy said.
“I’m so grateful I was able to finish on my terms thanks to Simmo and the club. To be able to have a game like that where, even though we didn’t get the win, it was great to be out there. It was a good answer.”
Josh Kennedy farewells his adoring fans. Credit: simon santi/The West Australian
An emotional Kennedy said he felt numb at the end of the match. He ran onto the field with his children from him, through a guard of honor from family and friends, then had his mum toss the coin. Kennedy also wore a black arm band and pointed to it after a goal as a tribute to his best friend’s Nanna who recently passed away.
Former West Coast teammates Mark LeCras, Adam Selwood and Quinten Lynch were among the 50,117 people in attendance, along with ex-coach John Worsfold.
Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn chaired Kennedy from the field before he did a lap of honor after the match.
Josh Kennedy received a huge ovation while being carried from the field on the shoulders of Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn. Credit: simon santi/The West Australian
While he dominated, Kennedy said his body reminded him of why he retired.
“The knee is a little bit sore,” he said.
“The knee was the same as it always has been. You feel good early and then it slowly starts to kick in after a few knocks. I won’t have to get up for more games now so I’ll be able to rest it and settle down. Hopefully it gets mended over the next couple of months.”
Josh Kennedy goes down as West Coast’s greatest ever goal kicker, but it’s the veteran’s humility and class that has won praise from his opposition for more than a decade.
After being chaired from the ground on Sunday, as his eight goals fell just short of dragging the West Coast to victory over Adelaide, Kennedy then showed why he is one of the game’s most humble stars.
Kennedy turned back to the Crows and then took the time to shake hands with every player and staff member who joined the Eagles in forming the guard of honor.
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The “classy act” just epitomizes the Eagles’ great who bows out after 293 games and 723 goals – with a premiership, three All Australian jumpers and two Coleman Medals.
And he remained humble through his final press conference too.
“The boys fed me a fair bit. There was probably a lot of ball that came my way that it shouldn’t have,” he said.
“There was a few times pre game, at half time and at the end there where there were moments you know it’s finishing.
“I love being a part of those games, whether you win or lose, I love being a part of those close games.”
Kennedy kicks EIGHT in his finale! | 01:25
Kennedy admitted to feeling nervous in the match and a “little numb” after departing the Optus Stadium turf for the final time, in front of more than 50,000 fans.
“It’s interesting finishing your last game for a while. I’ve never experienced it,” he said.
“You (coach Adam Simpson) were probably yelling in the box but someone handballed over to Boots (Shuey) and he was shoulders out, he had JD (Darling) long inside 50 but he looked inboard to try and handball to me and Liam ( Ryan) ended up stuffing the kick.
“I just thought, ‘boys let’s chill. We need to win this game. Let’s not focus on me’.”
Kennedy even overcame the emotion of losing his best friend’s nana, whose funeral was just days ago, and a woman who helped him as a kid in Northampton.
Josh J. Kennedy gets chaired off the ground in his final game. Picture: Daniel CarsonSource: Getty Images
“She grew us all up back in Northampton. She loved the Eagles. It was a special one for her,” he said.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson was full of praise for Kennedy’s performance in his final match.
“Can you imagine kicking eight in your last game?” I have laughed.
“Unfortunately in that last bit we couldn’t get the four points. But outside that, we tried our hardest.”
Even pre-game Kennedy was at his humble best, stating he just wanted a win for the boys.
“I don’t care if I don’t get a kick, I just want to win and to sing the song one more time in here,” he said.
With his final address as an Eagles player, Kennedy took the time to thank the fans for bringing a “tear to the eye.”
“We as footballers, we’re out there to perform and it feels sometimes, I recognize the consensus is we give a lot to the fans, but they give us so much. They make our game great,” he said.
“They are the reason why we play football.
“And it’s not just home ground – all the fans of the AFL.
“I’ve been so lucky in my carer… it brings a tear to my eye. I can’t thank them enough.”
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.
Retiring West Coast forward Josh Kennedy has turned back the clock, kicking four goals in the opening half of his farewell game against Adelaide.
The Eagles conceded the first three majors of the game before a short kick from fellow Northampton product Jamie Cripps gave the 34-year-old his first genuine opportunity.
He failed to mark the ball but was awarded a high free kick and took the set shot from the tightest edge of the 50m arc.
It sailed through to put the Eagles on the scoreboard with Kennedy clasped his hands together, giving a ‘thank you’ gesture to the packed Optus Stadium crowd.
The club’s all-time leading goalkicker received a standing ovation when he came to the bench, unfortunately for Eagles fans, it didn’t put off Adelaide’s Shane McAdam, who was lining up for goal and kicked truly to give the Crows their fourth.
With Jack Darling, Jake Waterman and Brady Hough all missing scoring shots, Kennedy returned to the same pocket on the eve of quarter time where, just a few steps closer, he marked the ball.
The crowd erupted again as the ball sailed through the big sticks for his second – and he wasn’t done yet.
Barely a minute later, the spearhead was hit on the lead directly in front from about 50m out.
Teammates get around Kennedy. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL PhotosKennedy celebrates after scoring his third goal. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Pictures
The crowd held its collective breath as the umpire weighed up whether it had been touched on the line before signaling a goal to give Kennedy his third in the first quarter.
As the siren sounded, the Crows took a three-point lead into the opening break.
Kennedy added another major to his tally in the second, surpassing St Kilda champion Nic Riewoldt’s career tally of 718 to launch himself into 22nd spot on the AFL/VFL all-time goal kickers’ list.
With Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps and Liam Duggan also scoring, West Coast flipped the script, taking a two-point lead into the main break.
If you wanted to know just how much Josh Kennedy means to West Coast, just ask every one of his 43 teammates.
Ahead of his final match for the Eagles against Adelaide at Optus Stadium, the Sunday Times has compiled the ultimate tribute to the West Coast premiership star and all-time leading goalkicker.
DON’T MISS YOUR FREE ‘FAREWELL JK’ POSTER WITH TEAMMATES’ TRIBUTES, ONLY IN THE SUNDAY TIMES
From Shannon Hurn, the man West Coast selected nine picks after Kennedy went to Carlton in the 2005 national draft, to mid-season selection Jai Culley, all 43 current Eagles have penned a tribute to their retiring teammate.
And while there was little doubt, the players have confirmed they have big shoes to collectively fill.
Fellow forward Jack Darling said his career had benefited from having the 716-goal spearhead alongside him.
“The big show. Been amazing sharing the 50 with you. Thanks for everything. You mean so much to so many people and thanks for taking the number one defender,” he wrote.
Josh Kennedy after announcing his retirement this week. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos
The heir to Kennedy’s glittering throne Oscar Allen said Kennedy has had a substantial impact on his career on and off the field.
“Thank you for helping me understand what is required to be an AFL footballer but more importantly how to grow up into a man. You’re a champion and can’t wait to tell my kids I played with JK. Love ya mate,” he said.
Premiership teammate and captain Hurn wrote: “Such a great player for the club. Always did your best and made your teammates better. Privilege to play with.”
Andrew Gaff said Kennedy was one of the best players to represent the West Coast.
“I’ve never seen someone play through so much pain and discomfort to then always produce on the big stage. Congrats on an amazing career, enjoy retirement and thanks for making my foot skills look better than they are!”
The ultimate tribute will be available in The Sunday Times’ 12-page liftout celebrating Kennedy’s stunning career.
DON’T MISS YOUR FREE ‘FAREWELL JK’ POSTER WITH TEAMMATES’ TRIBUTES, ONLY IN THE SUNDAY TIMES
Controversial former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes has blasted West Coast and Adam Simpson for letting professional standards at the club slip and says they should introduce disciplinary punishments for “overweight” players.
In his exclusive column for The West Australian, Cornes said the Eagles must take a hard line on professional standards as part of their coming rebuild.
“(Adam) Simpson has let professional standards slip at West Coast. He is not hard enough on his players, such as (Elliot) Yeo. Too many have taken liberties,” he said.
Cornes criticized star midfielder Yeo after the Eagles’ round six defeat against his former side at Adelaide Oval, where he was also concussed, claiming he was visibly unfit.
And he did not hold back in this week’s column, saying his weight issues and lack of training are why he has spent much of the year on the sidelines.
“The midfielder has had yet another season ruined by persistent soft-tissue issues that are the result of poor preparation and a lack of training,” he said.
“There is no excuse for a full-time, highly paid professional athlete to present in an unfit state. It is now critical for clubs to have the power to sanction players for failing to meet professional standards.”
He also said superstar Nic Naitanui, who has struggled with persistent knee injuries over the last five seasons, looked heavier than at any other point of his career and noted Jeremy McGovern had struggled to meet body fat and weight requirements in the past.
Nic Naitanui has also been blasted for appearing overweight. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Pictures
“It is time for the clubs to claw back the balance of power in contract negotiations,” he said.
“The balance of power in negotiating player contracts has shifted tellingly in favor of the players since the AFL introduced free agency at the end of the 2012 season.”
In America’s hugely successful NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans have done just that with their injury-prone star Zion Williamson.
Williamson recently signed a maximum five-year contract extension valued at $193 million, but the club added a “professional standards” clause that demands he regularly weigh in.
Zion Williamson has a professional standards clause in his new contract. Credit: Steve Dykes/Getty Images
If his body fat and overall weight fall out of a specific range, the Pelicans will have the power to slash the 22-year-old’s salary.
The clause was brought in with Williamson managing just 85 games in his first three 72-match seasons due to injury, including all of the 2021-22 season with a broken foot.
Essendon also enacted a similar clause in Jake Stringer’s latest contract after he admitted carrying an extra eight kilograms derailed his 2020 campaign.
It shapes as one of the biggest, most complex deals of the trade period. But unfortunately for the Gold Coast Suns, it involves another one of their budding stars departing.
Foxfooty.com.au confirmed a report from the Herald Sun that Suns young gun Izak Rankine has been offered a five-year, $4 million deal from the Adelaide Crows as he considers a move back to South Australia.
Originally thought to be close to re-signing with Gold Coast, who are reportedly offering around a $650,000-a-season deal and won’t match Adelaide’s offer, the report states the 22-year old is highly likely to be playing at West Lakes in 2023 given the size of the offer.
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However as Rankine isn’t a free agent, he’d need to be acquired via trade, setting the stage for one of the most fascinating negotiations between the Suns and Crows in some time.
Pick No. 3 in the 2018 draft, Rankine showed promising signs early in his career before really elevating his game in 2022 into the competition’s elite bracket.
Rankine has booted a career-best 27 goals from 16 games this season while averaging 13.6 disposals per game (both ranked above average as a general forward by Champion Data), and his 1.5 goal assists ranks fifth in the league (ranked elite).
What’s more, his 2.9 forward 50 ball gets rank first in the competition and his 10.6 AFL Player Rating ranks ninth (both elite). His 6.4 score involvements per game (elite) come in fifth in the league including three games in 2022 with 11 score involvements.
And from Rounds 8-15 Rankine was the No. 1 ranked overall forward in the competition during a stretch where he ranked second in score assists.
“They signed probably six of their top eight players over the last six months and you just expected Izak will sign … then this comes in as a bit of a wildcard, so incredibly tough for the Gold Coast,” Roos legend David King said on SEN.
“Rankine is going to be a top liner. The ball’s not even kicked to him and his ability to hit the scoreboard is second to none.
What would Rankine cost in a trade? (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
A potential future face of the Suns and just 46 games into his AFL career, Rankine’s upside is scary, and he’s clearly only going to keep getting better, thus complicating his trade value given he’s not yet the final product.
So what’s he worth in a deal right now and how might it look?
Adelaide currently holds Pick 4 in the draft — a pick that could yet get moved back also pending on where potential Pick 1 and father-son draftee Will Ashcroft lands.
You’d think Adelaide’s first pick would be the starting point to any trade, but surely the Suns would want more.
A second first-round pick from the Crows feels like overs, especially considering it’d likely again be a top five selection or thereabouts. Would the Suns accept a first and second rounder?
Looking at recent history, the Adam Cerra trade from last year is a fair comparison given he was also aged 22, an early draft pick (No. 5) and still coming into his prime but didn’t yet qualify for free agency.
The Dockers ultimately received Carlton’s Pick 6 as well as a future third rounder despite originally putting a bigger price on Cerra’s head — although Fremantle had other deals to get done including acquiring Jordan Clark.
Prior to that, Jaeger O’Meara moved from the Suns to Hawthorn at the end of 2016 when he was also aged 22 and rated as one of the best young talents in the game.
O’Meara while playing for the Suns (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
O’Meara, who joined Gold Coast with the No. 1 pick of a special ‘mini draft’ as part of its early concessions, only cost the Hawks Pick 10 and a future second rounder.
Then there was the original Adam Treloar (who was also 22) trade back in 2015 that saw the star midfielder along with Pick 28 move from GWS to Collingwood for Picks 7, 65 and a future first rounder.
Similar to O’Meara, Treloar was drafted by the Giants as an under-age selection.
But making Rankine’s situation slightly more unique is that he was a bona fide top three pick (and taken ahead of the likes of the King brothers, Connor Rozee and Bailey Smith in the highly-rated 2018 draft), and factoring in that the Suns have already lost so much young talent over the years to add a potential extra tax of sorts.
And losing too many young stars to rival clubs has seen Gold Coast already top up with a stack of early picks in recent years.
It held selections 5 (Mac Andrew) and 7 (Elijah Hollands) respectively over the last two drafts, 1 and 2 in the 2019 draft (Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson) and 2 and 3 the year prior (Jack Lukosius and Rankine).
So would the Suns really want or need more picks? Finals should be firmly on the agenda next year after the club has finally made inroads in 2022, currently sitting 11th on the ladder with nine wins and on track for its best ever season.
Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes wasn’t yet convinced Rankine is going to be a “top liner,” but emphasized the Crows would have to give up something given he’s not a free agent — proposing a swap for Riley Thilthorpe or a package of Josh Rachele and Darcy Fogarty if draft picks don’t appease the Suns.
Is Buddy going back to Brisbane? | 00:33
“Adelaide would hope that (Pick 4) gets it done, but Rankine was a Pick 3 four years ago and is probably better than what you’re going to take a put on with Pick 4 in this year’s draft, which probably goes to ( Pick) 5 or 6, so that won’t get it done,” he said on SEN.
“They (the Suns) don’t want or need draft picks… is it Rachele and Fogarty or something like that for Rankine?
Of course, the Crows could dig their heels in if they can’t meet Gold Coast’s demands and try and walk Rankine to the pre-season draft (and hope other clubs don’t pounce on him).
This happened most recently in 2019 when Jack Martin joined Carlton via the pre-season draft after the Blues and Suns failed to reach a deal during the trade period.
King believes the Suns should take a stand and be willing to let Rankine walk for nothing if it comes to it.
“I just wonder if they would say, ‘you know what, we’re not going to do this deal, we’re going to take a stand. We’ve got enough first-round picks, future picks coming in, trade commodities to be able to shift if we want to go down that path. Let’s dig our heels in and say if you want to leave you can go to the draft’,” he said.
“Why not? Does it really rock their boat (losing him for nothing)? Do they say, ‘do we just draw a line in the sand?’ Because this is going to continue to happen if they allow it to happen.
“I think they’ll take a stance. I don’t think they’ll say, ‘oh yeah, no worries, what do you (Adelaide) want to discard? You don’t think Rachele is going to be a top-liner? OK, give us Rachele.’ That’s of no value to them.”
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
The reality of retirement is slowly sinking in for West Coast great Josh Kennedy as he prepares for his 293rd and final game against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
But the Eagles’ loss will herald a special gain for one lucky reader of The West Australian, who will claim the goal-kicking guru’s final playing guernsey when the battle with the Crows is done.
As part of the celebration of his outstanding career, that reader will win his match jumper featuring his familiar No.17 on the back.
Kennedy told The West Australian on Wednesday he was relieved at having announced his retirement and now being able to set his focus one last time on producing the type of performance that has turned him from knockabout Northampton kid, to all-time great of the game.
As part of the celebration of his outstanding career, that reader will win his match jumper featuring his familiar No.17 on the back. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
“I’ve sat with it for a long time, but with the build-up to announcing it officially and talking to the players and the footy department, there is a bit of relief, I suppose. . . even though most of the crew here internally probably already knew this was going to be the last week,” the 34-year-old said.
Kennedy, who will also pass his initial West Coast captain Darren Glass’ club tally of 270 games on Sunday (he also played 22 matches for Carlton), said the reaction to his pending retirement had been overwhelming.
“The phone has been a bit crazy,” he said.
“But I wake up early, just before five and before my kids wake up at about 6-6.30. I had an hour-and-a-half to get back to everyone, so apologies to anyone who had a phone pinging off at about 5.30.”
West Coast’s all-time leading goal-kicker, with 704 from his 15 years with the Eagles, has not always been at his most productive against Adelaide.
He has kicked just 35 goals in 20 matches against the Crows, almost half of his personal high tally of 61 against the Western Bulldogs in the same number of clashes.
West Australian Newspapers Editor-In-Chief Anthony De Ceglie said the jumper was a unique prize which money could not buy.
“JK is one of the all-time greats of WA footy,” De Ceglie said. “But in addition to being an extremely talented goal-kicker, he is also a genuinely great guy who embodies the WA approach to life.”
He said the jumper would take pride of place in any West Coast fan’s pool room or on the bedroom wall.
“Our thanks go to JK and the Eagles for making this prize available to our readers to honor a wonderful champion,” he said.
To enter the bid to win Kennedy’s match-worn guernsey, simply look for the unique code on the front page of Friday’s The West Australian and enter it online at thewest.com.au/jk by noon on Monday.
