Welcome to the Bulldogs: Matt Kennedy

[Mofra]

Late deal for pick for 38.
Carlton fans gutted, they really like him.

[Testekill]

He's a big tough player, works hard and likes to tackle. The type of clubman that you want at the club because everyone walks taller when he's there.

[bulldogtragic]

Happy enough with this. Welcome to the club.

[GVGjr]

I'm okay with this. He's got some traits that will fit in nicely for us and is versatile enough.

[KT31]

I like Kennedy, good pick up for us.

[Happy Days]

This sucks. We suck. I’d say at least when he’s bad we will learn our lesson and stop trading for players like this but who am I kidding that is all we do.

[angelopetraglia]

Carlton supporters I know rate him. I think it was required with Caleb and Macrae going, we need midfield depth.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Why wouldn't other clubs or even saints for that matter want him? We're fairly flush for mids so would think he'd have had other suitors?

[EasternWest]

He's a big tough player, works hard and likes to tackle. The type of clubman that you want at the club because everyone walks taller when he's there.

I'm on board

[Go_Dogs]

Will improve our side. Paid slightly more than I’d have liked to for a player they didn’t want but eh, sometimes you just get the deal done right (I’ll keep telling myself that!).

[mighty_west]

We lose midfield depth so to being in Kennedy is good for us.

[bulldogtragic]

Will improve our side. Paid slightly more than I’d have liked to for a player they didn’t want but eh, sometimes you just get the deal done right (I’ll keep telling myself that!).

Likely to be over Pick 40 I’d imagine after bids/shuffling. What’s a top 10 B&F finisher in a finals team who played all year worth who was under contract?

[Testekill]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDn4GWa3Y5c


Looking at a clip of highlights from this year, his tackles don't get broken often. That tackling intent is a big bonus for us, hopefully we rotate through the middle a little more aggressively like we did back in 2021.

[Doc26]

I don?t mind the inclusion of Kennedy. Hopefully he can go
some way in filling the void left after Dunkley?s exit, with both having similar attributes. If it works as I hope, it will be Cripps loss, and Bont?s gain.

[bulldogtragic]

Nice highlights. Someone here called him ‘Aldi Dunkley’.

Without the insult some might infer, it’s pretty close. He’s a not quite as good Dunkley. Defensive when he needs to be, tackles well, team player, can go forward and kick goals. We’ve done worse. Much worse.

[Testekill]

Nice highlights. Someone here called him ‘Aldi Dunkley’.

Without the insult some might infer, it’s pretty close. He’s a not quite as good Dunkley. Defensive when he needs to be, tackles well, team player, can go forward and kick goals. We’ve done worse. Much worse.

It's honestly a pretty fair comparison.

[EasternWest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDn4GWa3Y5c


Looking at a clip of highlights from this year, his tackles don't get broken often. That tackling intent is a big bonus for us, hopefully we rotate through the middle a little more aggressively like we did back in 2021.

I mean, they're not really going to include the missed tackles in the "best of Matthew Kennedy" highlights package are they?

[Dry Rot]

Why did Kennedy want to leave the filth?

[GVGjr]

Why did Kennedy want to leave the filth?

More midfield time and that Carlton have some salary cap challenges so they said he could explore other teams.

[Mofra]

More midfield time and that Carlton have some salary cap challenges so they said he could explore other teams.
Carlton fans say Voss treated him terribly - seems like a 'loves the club, hates the coach' type deal a la Liam Jones to Carlton the first time round

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Why did Kennedy want to leave the filth?

The EF was key. MK always likely to leave after that

[hujsh]

Why did Kennedy want to leave the filth?


The EF was key. MK always likely to leave after that

Went to hospital early in the week with something, wife gave birth a couple days before the game, flew up for he final, subbed out at half time. My understanding of the timeline of events

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Went to hospital early in the week with something, wife gave birth a couple days before the game, flew up for he final, subbed out at half time. My understanding of the timeline of events

Believe there was a desire to stay with his wife and child, club convinced him to fly up, then subbed him early. His reaction was evident for all to see, and especially at HT - understandable.

[Testekill]

Believe there was a desire to stay with his wife and child, club convinced him to fly up, then subbed him early. His reaction was evident for all to see, and especially at HT - understandable.

Don't blame him for wanting out after that. Would have barely slept those couple of days

[josie]

Putting out the Welcome Matt. Hope he proves to be a shrewd acquisition. I’m sure he’ll give it all his got, especially against the Blues.

[anfo27]

Happy with this. I like tough hombres & Matt is one of those. I like the Dunkley comparison, not as good overall but a better field kick than dunks. Interested to see how he goes.

[Dry Rot]

Thanks for the many responses.

Appreciate that

OK, so the Philth treated him really badly and he wanted out.

From his highlights he would probably be in the top three tackling players for us next year and I like that.

I think he will be a good pick up and we should focus on what he offers us not whether we perhaps overpaid.

I reckon he'll be really out to prove a point next year and my early coal is he will play most games and be pretty good for us

[Eastdog]

Welcome to the Dogs Matt.

Decent pick up and hope he goes well.

[The Underdog]

Carlton fans say Voss treated him terribly - seems like a 'loves the club, hates the coach' type deal a la Liam Jones to Carlton the first time round

Spoke to a Carlton mate who wasn’t happy to lose him. Solid, reliable and battle hardened was the description.

[bornadog]

Welcome Matt, hopefully a successful stint at the club

[soupman]

I mean, they're not really going to include the missed tackles in the "best of Matthew Kennedy" highlights package are they?

Well the Bailey Smith highlights didn't include many hit targets.

[Uninformed]

Hope he goes well. We need a bit more of the Clay Smith style hardness.

[The Adelaide Connection]

There seems to be some real parallels with how most of us feel about Caleb/Jack going to how the Carlton fans feel about losing Kennedy.

I read a tonne of comments and they were all glowing of him. The only difference is that whereas a lot of people can understand why we let Caleb/Jack go, almost all Carlton fans are livid and don't understand the decision.

On these points alone I think there is enough there to feel pretty positive about it. The haters need to chill and give it a chance IMO.

[comrade]

Putting aside any off field proclivities, I think he?ll play every game next year. Much prefer him to Harmes in that mid/forward role.

[whythelongface]

Putting aside any off field proclivities, I think he?ll play every game next year. Much prefer him to Harmes in that mid/forward role.

Agree. It may also free up Harmes to play a HF role. Which he can do.

Good to have Kennedy on board. Will complement our other mids and provide some real grunt and strength in the middle. We now need to work on some outside run. Garcia, Gallagher, Richards plus acquire some speedy mids in the draft. Will set us up well for a few years to come whilst being a contender next year.

[bornadog]

Watching the highlights he very much plays like Dunkley but is a better kick. Looks tough and also hits the score board.

[1eyedog]

He immediately improves us next year as he'll be best 22 every week and will play a full game. Unlike Macrae and Daniel. So essentially he removes a bottom 3 player from our equation each week.

[Happy Days]

Okay I’ve stopped crying and am ready to be ambivalent about this.

One positive I’ve only just considered - I always really liked Mr Kennedy in the WWE as a kid so this will give me the chance to spam his theme song in group texts.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Terrific addition - hopefully he is hungry to achieve something with us

[azabob]

Okay I’ve stopped crying and am ready to be ambivalent about this.

One positive I’ve only just considered - I always really liked Mr Kennedy in the WWE as a kid so this will give me the chance to spam his theme song in group texts.

Easiest redemption arc ever.

[jazzadogs]

Okay I’ve stopped crying and am ready to be ambivalent about this.

One positive I’ve only just considered - I always really liked Mr Kennedy in the WWE as a kid so this will give me the chance to spam his theme song in group texts.

James Harmes (4) polled more Brownlow votes than Matt Kennedy (2) this year.

[whythelongface]

James Harmes (4) polled more Brownlow votes than Matt Kennedy (2) this year.

Apart from Cripps did any other Carlton player receive more than 10 votes? Maybe Walsh. When it comes to voting on Carlton games it is a given that any vote is mainly allocated to Cripps no matter how he plays. Thus wouldn’t look into it too much. I assume Kennedy helped Cripps poll votes by feeding him the ball.

[azabob]

Apart from Cripps did any other Carlton player receive more than 10 votes? Maybe Walsh. When it comes to voting on Carlton games it is a given that any vote is mainly allocated to Cripps no matter how he plays. Thus wouldn’t look into it too much. I assume Kennedy helped Cripps poll votes by feeding him the ball.

Cripps received more than half of Carlton total votes.

Patrick Cripps - 45
Sam Walsh - 16
Harry McKay - 6
Blake Acres - 4
George Hewett - 3
Elijah Hollands - 3
Charlie Curnow - 2
Matt Kennedy - 2
Mitch McGovern - 2
Nic Newman - 2
Tom De Koning - 1
Zac Williams - 1

Total: 87

[bulldogsthru&thru]

It's honestly impressive Kennedy got any votes at all given the umpires' obsession with Cripps.

[Grantysghost]

It's honestly impressive Kennedy got any votes at all given the umpires' obsession with Cripps.
Clearly a mistaken identity scenario.

[kruder]

Watching the highlights he very much plays like Dunkley but is a better kick. Looks tough and also hits the score board.

It actually feels like you're watching Dunkley in that video crazy similarities.

[Boots]

Same draft as Dunks, same age as Dunks, similar style... I'm going to embrace my superstitious side and feel good about the omens.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Easy to forget Kennedy was a first round pick himself. While that alone doesn't make him a good player, it's not like he was some scrub who was rookied from nowhere.

[jeemak]

Easy to forget Kennedy was a first round pick himself. While that alone doesn't make him a good player, it's not like he was some scrub who was rookied from nowhere.

Well he was delisted and re-rookied in his time at Carlton.

[dukedog]

Easy to forget Kennedy was a first round pick himself. While that alone doesn't make him a good player, it's not like he was some scrub who was rookied from nowhere.


Only taking the Mickey but...

Norm Smith JJ was a rookie selection &



Full name
Daniel Houston


Date of birth
12 May 1997 (age 27)


Original team(s)
Oakleigh Chargers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakleigh_Chargers) (TAC Cup (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAC_Cup))


Draft
No. 45, 2016 rookie draft (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_AFL_draft#2016_rookie_draft)

[azabob]

Well he was delisted and re-rookied in his time at Carlton.

2020 doesn't count though.

[bornadog]

Getting familiar.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaI-z5Vb0AA1rqX?format=jpg&name=large

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaI-z5Xb0AIzps1?format=jpg&name=large

[Axe Man]

Getting familiar.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaI-z5Vb0AA1rqX?format=jpg&name=large

Bin that Puma gear Matt, get the man some Asics merch.

[Grantysghost]

https://i.ibb.co/XsgzmGJ/20241018-150532.jpg (https://ibb.co/k8fhYPc)

[GVGjr]

I'm looking forward to see what hunger he brings us. He's got some traits that should compliment our midfielders and forwards.

[angelopetraglia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaJqSFMb0AMYoda?format=jpg&name=large

[josie]

Geez our jumper looks good on him. I’m predicting he’ll have a ripper start for us. And hopefully sustained success.

[Dry Rot]

What REALLY happened in Matt Kennedy's Exit Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ul5oN-A124

[mighty_west]

What REALLY happened in Matt Kennedy's Exit Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ul5oN-A124

I've never really watched a lot of him as a player, but he is a nice type that could complement our other mids, doesn't mind the hard stuff, tackling etc and a decent kick, could be a Treloar MK2 also originally from GWS for us, Libba's getting on and we lost Dunkley a few seasons back so he looks like a good addition.

[Uninformed]

Geez our jumper looks good on him. I’m predicting he’ll have a ripper start for us. And hopefully sustained success.

Looks to be in good nick!

[Dry Rot]

I like the cut of his jib, whatever that means.

[jeemak]

Getting familiar.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaI-z5Vb0AA1rqX?format=jpg&name=large

So what do you guys reckon about gays, drunks and adulterers?


I kid, I kid. Welcome to the club Matt.

[CarnTheScray]

Putting aside any off field proclivities, I think he?ll play every game next year. Much prefer him to Harmes in that mid/forward role.
He is in much better form than Harmes.

Harmes was playing VFL most of the time in his final year at Melbourne wasn?t he?

Kennedy on the other hand was one of THREE Carlton players to play in every game this year (even if 3 of those were as sub). Then he got injured, got out of hospital the same week as the final and had the birth of his child, pretty big contributing factors to his finals performance. They played him injured and he wasn?t even their worst player.

[FrediKanoute]

He has a funny body shape. Looks taller than he is. Almost Go Go Gadget limbs.

[jeemak]

He has a funny body shape. Looks taller than he is. Almost Go Go Gadget limbs.

He's six three, pretty tall. Footballers are lean AF these days, they all look gangly vs. the rest of us.

[Grantysghost]

He's six three, pretty tall. Footballers are lean AF these days, they all look gangly vs. the rest of us.
Case in point Sam Darcy wears a medium jumper.
I asked him straight up and he said yep they wear them m?ga tight.

Fair to say I couldn't get it over my fat head.

I was dubious btw. Couldn't mean mens could it?

Anyone familiar with the players editions?

Edit : nope it's size

https://i.ibb.co/DpVm41v/Screenshot-20241019-091528.png (https://ibb.co/M62Kngt)

[Bigdog]

Case in point Sam Darcy wears a medium jumper.
I asked him straight up and he said yep they wear them m?ga tight.

Fair to say I couldn't get it over my fat head.

I was dubious btw. Couldn't mean mens could it?

Anyone familiar with the players editions?

Edit : nope it's size

https://i.ibb.co/DpVm41v/Screenshot-20241019-091528.png (https://ibb.co/M62Kngt)
i haven’t bought a players edition jumper in 10 + years. However usually the players addition sizing is much tighter than a standard fit. For instance a large in a players addition will feel like a small in the standard fit. The players addition do stretch a lot more though.

id be suprised if a players addition medium didn’t look more like a sports bra on Sam Darcy!

[Rocket Science]

Frankly relieved we've finally filled the void left by Lin Jong.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Why wouldn't other clubs or even saints for that matter want him? We're fairly flush for mids so would think he'd have had other suitors?

We need another mid who is a tough tackler, Libba fading.
It is a priority. We win or lose games in the midfield.

[bulldogtragic]

Why wouldn't other clubs or even saints for that matter want him? We're fairly flush for mids so would think he'd have had other suitors?

For the Saints, they prioritised Macrae for their mid mix. Their other priority was Kemp who they missed.
We lost three guys who can play mids minutes this year, and Dunkley, Hunter, Lipinski in years before. Not sure we are flushed. Plus Libba is aging, and Sanders, Gags & Garcia aren?t yet proven.
Kennedy was told he was free to look around. Maybe he had other suitors, maybe he wanted to go to a Vic team who played finals this year and thinks he?s best 23 in that team. (But, Geelong chased Smith & Hawks chased Battle & Barrass)

I?m very open minded to what he might be able to do next year. He might end up being depth, but as a bigger bodied kid who is a threat forward, he might be a nice point of difference.

[Mofra]

For the Saints, they prioritised Macrae for their mid mix. Their other priority was Kemp who they missed.
We lost three guys who can play mids minutes this year, and Dunkley, Hunter, Lipinski in years before. Not sure we are flushed. Plus Libba is aging, and Sanders, Gags & Garcia aren?t yet proven.
Kennedy was told he was free to look around. Maybe he had other suitors, maybe he wanted to go to a Vic team who played finals this year and thinks he?s best 23 in that team. (But, Geelong chased Smith & Hawks chased Battle & Barrass)

I?m very open minded to what he might be able to do next year. He might end up being depth, but as a bigger bodied kid who is a threat forward, he might be a nice point of difference.
Is it entirely needs driven?

We're dealing with rumors of players enjoying the party life too much, and have targeted a guy who has "solid citizen" written all over him. I really feel the off field stuff was a big factor in grabbing him.

[bulldogtragic]

Is it entirely needs driven?

We're dealing with rumors of players enjoying the party life too much, and have targeted a guy who has "solid citizen" written all over him. I really feel the off field stuff was a big factor in grabbing him.

Probably a bit of both. I think he fits a need absolutely. But if those persistent rumours are true, then moving on BS, some riot act reading maybe, and bringing in Kennedy who seems very professional and driven is a good outcome too. But I think first and foremost he needs to be a decent footballer first. Hopefully a strong positive influence helps things. Did we win best club man at Carlton this year?

[azabob]

Frankly relieved we've finally filled the void left by Lin Jong.

Say what now?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

So the universe passed through 134 Ske Rd Frankston today my ridulous exotic paradise garden when the sun shone and the flowers were in bowers and my two Bulldog sons sat at a rectangular glass table on a square of lawn and ate wood fired seafood pizza.
Cosmo and I fired up ding dong style about Naughton going back, Bevo, what we disagree a out and what we agree there is to hope about.
We agree.on Kennedy, good recruit, Sam thanks for holding out on Smith.
We disagree on this team, I think our best ever, he cites '07 ffs. Little him then now big says Gilbee, Hargraves team.
I say best talls and best talent ever but lack mongrel.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

And the forwards and team appear not drlled to get out of each orhers' way.
How do fwd entries know who to kick to?
Should be far easier with different and clear options, not Flea fling in front of Lobb, Darcy, Naughton plus Marra.

[jeemak]

So the guy plays every game, finishes top ten in the B&F, but the coach wants him gone.

I know the stories of injury, wife having a baby, not wanting to play, and playing like shit in the elimination final. So he and Voss had it out and it didn't go well because Voss lacks empathy and comes across as a complete sociopath, in pretty much everything he does.

Or, Kennedy even though he finished in the top ten in a finals team's B&F is shit.

Man I hope for his sake and the sake of WOOF he has a good opening.

[GVGjr]

It's hard to say how we will best use Kennedy but his addition to the side is a real positive. Can he get enough midfield time even with Macrae and Daniel moving on? We also need for Sanders to increase his time in the middle.
I'm quite positive about bringing in Kennedy but it's not really clear how we will best use him. Does anyone have some suggestions?

[Mofra]

It's hard to say how we will best use Kennedy but his addition to the side is a real positive. Can he get enough midfield time even with Macrae and Daniel moving on? We also need for Sanders to increase his time in the middle.
I'm quite positive about bringing in Kennedy but it's not really clear how we will best use him. Does anyone have some suggestions?
He played HF defensive roles for Carlton this year and is very good above his head. Probably gets a run in the centre with our second rotation too

[54Bulldog16]

I?m really looking forward to the addition of Kennedy. I think he has a lot to contribute and add to the defensive mix in the midfield.

[Go_Dogs]

High forward (Macrae/Smith) and second rotation midfielder initially. I’d like him to start midfield by year end.

[WBFC4FFC]

He played HF defensive roles for Carlton this year and is very good above his head. Probably gets a run in the centre with our second rotation too

Basically doing the role that Bailey Smith though was below him!