Josh Kennedy

[MrPresident]

Watching him last night it is obvious that he is as phenomenally strong. In the packs, he gets it and for the next 2-3 seconds uses brute strength to force break free and push through the wall of players, getting out a deft handball somewhere along the line. If he wasn't as strong as he is, he'd constantly be pinged for holding the ball.

He's also a diesel williams style runner. Not fast but always moving and what's more, knows where to go. He's not the fastest player and his kicking can be a bit off, but neither is that important to his role. Oh, he can also go forward and kick goals, a handy attribute.

I think about the next four years and I can see a powerful midfield taking shape around Kennedy

Insides - Kennedy, Bird and Mitchell
Outside - Jetta, Hannebery, Rohan, Meredith

(dunno where to classify Jack and McGlynn - could be either)

If we can retain and develop Reid, Johnston and White, then I think we will be well placed. Still, there will be 17 other teams out there...

There will be, but over the next few seasons none of them will match our midfield. The trend that has emerged recently is that to be an elite team you really need a top level midfield. There's no use having great forwards if they never get the ball, and there's no use having great backs if they're overworked the entire game. It all begins with a great midfield and that is what will be at the core of our future success.

[satchmopugdog]

I am now his number one fan....I am wrapt in his effort,his strength,his never give up attitude, his quiet determined attitude and his lovely eyes.

[liz]

They have an obsession with players that can kick the ball well. They didn't think that Kennedy and McGlynn could consistently kick the ball as well as their other midfielders and ranked them as fringe players.

It's weird really. Firstly, they have a lot of players in their "best 22" who aren't great kicks. And secondly, I don't think either McGlynn or Kennedy is a particularly poor kick. Sure, they do occasionally turn one in, but then so do most AFL players. Their conversion of set shots for goal, sometimes from decent distances out, indicates they are sound kicks.

Some Dawks fans still maintain that letting the pair go was the right thing to do because they would still only be fringe players at the Hawks. Having watched them this year (and watched the Hawks) it is hard to see how this is so. Mind you, I am very glad the Hawks decided to let them go without a fight. Their loss...

[707]

I'll say it again, the best pick 39, 42 an 70 we ever traded! I know at trade time last year a couple of Hawks supporters I know rated JK and were sad to ee him traded but McGlynn was expendable in their eyes.

JK & Benny are now first raters by any standard and have long careers as Swans in front of them and it's all ours to enjoy!

[Wardy]

I think Johsua P has made my heart skip a beat!!! and he can play footy too.

[Reggi]

Dawks fans are delusional. Sam Mitchell is one of the worst kicks in the AFL. Would like another J Kennedy

[goswannie14]

I'll say it again, the best pick 39, 42 an 70 we ever traded! I know at trade time last year a couple of Hawks supporters I know rated JK and were sad to ee him traded but McGlynn was expendable in their eyes.

JK & Benny are now first raters by any standard and have long careers as Swans in front of them and it's all ours to enjoy!

Similarly, I have a Hawks supporting mate who was livid that they were both traded.

[satchmopugdog]

I'm still in love with him today...that's a relationship in my eyes.

There are hundreds of Hawks supporters here and I take great delight in quietly saying to them.."I have only two words to say to you..Josh Kennedy" and watching the look on their face is a delight. Simple pleasures that ease the pain of the loss.

[Primmy]

Satch, don't forget to follow that up with, "oh, and Benny McGlynne"..... trust me, Joey's eyes and Benny's nekked back....treats for us fools.....

[satchmopugdog]

Cougar alert

[dimelb]

I'm still in love with him today...that's a relationship in my eyes.

There are hundreds of Hawks supporters here and I take great delight in quietly saying to them.."I have only two words to say to you..Josh Kennedy" and watching the look on their face is a delight. Simple pleasures that ease the pain of the loss.

You nasty woman!
What a hoot!

[Primmy]

Cougar alert

And you are What?

[aardvark]

What a fantastic season the young fella had. Got better and better with every game and his finals were awesome. Satch may be his no 1 fan but i'm a close second. Go Josh !!!

[Swannette]

And he soooo loves being at and playing for our club. He loves us and loves it that we love him.

[goswannie14]

I'm still in love with him today...that's a relationship in my eyes.

There are hundreds of Hawks supporters here and I take great delight in quietly saying to them.."I have only two words to say to you..Josh Kennedy" and watching the look on their face is a delight. Simple pleasures that ease the pain of the loss.

I used to do something similar with Geelong supporters. The look on their faces when you said "Nick Davis" was hysterical!