Josh Kennedy. Is he the best ever midfielder we've had?

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  • Doctor J.
    Senior Player
    • Feb 2003
    • 1310

    #16
    Big call it may be and don't get me wrong I'm not downplaying the work of Skilts, Kelly, Bedford and as for Williams, I was a massive fan of his even when he went to Carlton.

    Goodes I think of him more of a Pavlich or James Hird (only better), yes he's played in the midfield, but in many other positions throughout his career to be regarded as only a midfielder.

    I just believe Josh has taken his game to a new level, and as a pure midfielder his output is beyond belief. Might be an early call about where he sits in the pantheon of talented Swans midfielders we've had over our history, but he is the glue of this current very talented Swans side. Agree with Reggi about his performance in finals, that cannot be under valued.

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    • stellation
      scott names the planets
      • Sep 2003
      • 9718

      #17
      I certainly can't remember a midfielder who has been as consistent for us; he has now played 107 games for Sydney, averages 25 disposals- 80 times out of those 107 he's collected more than 20 disposals (and in those 27 where he didn't there's a bunch of high teens). In the last 3 seasons (this one included) he's only failed to get 20 touches in 4 games, and in those 4 games he had 2 lots of 19 and 2 lots of 18.

      He's putting in a hell of a season so far, he's had 20+ contested possessions in 5 of our 9 games- that's crazy. He's averaging 18 contested possessions a game, that's second only to Ablett who has 18.2. The 10th best guy in the comp in that category is getting nearly 5 less a game, it's a herculean effort.
      Last edited by stellation; 19 May 2014, 11:14 AM.
      I knew him as a gentle young man, I cannot say for sure the reasons for his decline
      We watched him fade before our very eyes, and years before his time

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      • Reggi
        On the Rookie List
        • Jan 2003
        • 2718

        #18
        Originally posted by ernie koala
        Whoops forgot Diesel...

        Best ever clearance player - Diesel

        Second best - Kennedy
        Clearances Stats say Kennedy greatest ever bar none. Also Diesel had seen other players tackle, doubt he ever laid one
        You don't ban those who supported your opponent, you make them wallow in their loserdom by covering your victory! You sit them in the front row. You give them a hat! Toby Ziegler

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        • ScottH
          It's Goodes to cheer!!
          • Sep 2003
          • 23665

          #19
          Either you knew something or you're just very lucky.
          As of this weekend Kennedy has just played his 107th game for the swans.
          Williams played 107 games for the swans.

          Unfortunately the not all stats are available for past players.
          But here is a statistical comparison.

          Comment

          • Reggi
            On the Rookie List
            • Jan 2003
            • 2718

            #20
            Originally posted by ScottH
            Either you knew something or you're just lucky
            [/table]
            Diesel was great. But was legendary for having no accountability for his man. JPK is a bit younger than Diesel for the same games.

            Played in different eras. Would suggest JPKs contemporaries are far better than Diesels
            You don't ban those who supported your opponent, you make them wallow in their loserdom by covering your victory! You sit them in the front row. You give them a hat! Toby Ziegler

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            • aardvark
              Veterans List
              • Mar 2010
              • 5685

              #21
              Originally posted by ScottH
              Unfortunately the not all stats are available for past players.
              Have you tried here Scott?
              AFL Tables

              Skilton average more kicks per game than any of the others but only 4 handballs per game. There used to be a joke about him telling the rest of the team it was their job to keep it there until he got there. Quite often he'd kick the ball then be the next Swan to touch the ball. Says quite a lot about the time he played in.
              Last edited by aardvark; 19 May 2014, 01:46 PM.

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              • ernie koala
                Senior Player
                • May 2007
                • 3251

                #22
                Originally posted by Reggi
                Clearances Stats say Kennedy greatest ever bar none. Also Diesel had seen other players tackle, doubt he ever laid one
                Reggi, I don't know if you watched Diesel play, but I can tell you his vision and ability to put others in space(just ask G Healy)was second to none, his handballing out of congestion was sublime.

                I love Joey, he's a great player, but he doesn't have the same vision or disposal skills of Diesel.

                I'll give you tackles...But it's hard to compare other stats versus outcomes. Also different era, vastly different size players.
                Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect... MT

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                • ShockOfHair
                  One Man Out
                  • Dec 2007
                  • 3668

                  #23
                  A pity they didn't measure uncontesteds in Diesel's day. But looking at the stats reminds of what an amazing ball-getting machine he was.

                  I think a more interesting question about Kennedy is: is he our most important player? Probably, because like Selwood and Gary he's consistent and almost impossible to stop. But I'd rank McVeigh, Jack and Richards up there too as our MIPs (just invented a new acronym!).
                  The man who laughs has not yet heard the terrible news

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                  • Reggi
                    On the Rookie List
                    • Jan 2003
                    • 2718

                    #24
                    Originally posted by ernie koala
                    Reggi, I don't know if you watched Diesel play, but I can tell you his vision and ability to put others in space(just ask G Healy)was second to none, his handballing out of congestion was .
                    Where did I say it wasn't
                    You don't ban those who supported your opponent, you make them wallow in their loserdom by covering your victory! You sit them in the front row. You give them a hat! Toby Ziegler

                    Comment

                    • ernie koala
                      Senior Player
                      • May 2007
                      • 3251

                      #25
                      Originally posted by Reggi
                      Where did I say it wasn't
                      I am suggesting in these areas ...ie : Vision, putting others into space, handballing out of congestion... Diesel is 2nd to none.

                      Given these skills are a major part of a clearance midfielder, I assume you think Kennedy is better...I don't.
                      Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect... MT

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                      • ScottH
                        It's Goodes to cheer!!
                        • Sep 2003
                        • 23665

                        #26
                        Originally posted by aardvark
                        Have you tried here Scott?
                        AFL Tables
                        That is where I got them from.

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                        • Industrial Fan
                          Goodesgoodesgoodesgoodes!
                          • Aug 2006
                          • 3317

                          #27
                          Whatever the stats say - no one has shouted this down as a stupid suggestion which tells the story in itself. If he's not the best, he's bloody close.

                          Remarkably consistent, hasnt missed a game and I would say is the best in the league at freeing his arms in a tackle to release a handball.
                          He ate more cheese, than time allowed

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                          • royboy42
                            Senior Player
                            • Apr 2006
                            • 2078

                            #28
                            Different eras makes it so hard. I saw Skilton tear up the Roys too many times; saw Diesel do the same to every side, and loving Kennedy.
                            If I had to select onlyone in next week's team, it would be Diesel.
                            His receivers were always in such good position, and with Hanners, Jack (oh and 64 possession man Mitchell) et al, it would be a demolition.

                            Comment

                            • goods78
                              Warming the Bench
                              • Sep 2012
                              • 269

                              #29
                              Originally posted by ernie koala
                              I am suggesting in these areas ...ie : Vision, putting others into space, handballing out of congestion... Diesel is 2nd to none.

                              Given these skills are a major part of a clearance midfielder, I assume you think Kennedy is better...I don't.
                              A big pro for Diesel was his ability to dispose of the ball on both sides of his body - what a natural.

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                              • AnnieH
                                RWOs Black Sheep
                                • Aug 2006
                                • 11332

                                #30
                                Joey's disposal skills can be ordinary at times... as are Hanners'.

                                I've been saying all season... it's one thing to get 100 possessions, but quite another to get 100% effective disposals.

                                That's not to say that the boy isn't a gun (and hanners too for that matter). Both of them have extraordinary football brains that are way beyond their years.

                                Give Joey another year and they'll stop talking about Ablett.
                                Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
                                Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.

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