Adam Kennedy has played every game of 2014 and now has 45 games under his belt in just over two seasons after being overlooked by every club in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
In the absence of co-captain Phil Davis and key defender Tim Mohr, Kennedy has held down the role of small defender with aplomb.
GIANTS backline coach Chad Cornes said Kennedy, who arrived at the club as a pre-selection in November 2011, is one of the most reliable players in the side each week.
“Ever since I got to the club, even as a player, I thought ‘Kenners’ was really solid and as a player, a guy you love to play with because you know what you’re going to get every week from him,” Cornes said.
“He’s going to try his best and play 100 per cent every week and as a first-year coach you probably couldn’t ask for more from him.
“He does exactly what you tell him, has a crack at every training session and during every game, gets a big job every week and normally performs really well.”
From Melton, west of Melbourne, the number 40 has upped his game this season, averaging 15 disposals and five marks per match. He’s also kicked three goals and provided plenty of run and drive from the backline.
There’s been a big focus on the GIANTS’ third-year-players in 2014 but Kennedy has gone about his business with little fanfare even though he’s just five matches from the 50-game milestone.
“If he was playing in Melbourne or another big footy state I’m sure people would be starting to speak about him because he’s done everything right this year and he has really flown under the radar,” Cornes said.
“If he was at a big Melbourne club, you’d read a lot more about him.”
In the GIANTS’ last game against the West Coast Eagles, Kennedy was a bright spark on a disappointing day for the club as he gathered 21 touches and 12 marks.
“He was the only one, from a backline point of view, that could hold his head up high on the day and he really kept fighting hard right up until the end of the game,” Cornes said.
“He was probably one positive from an otherwise terrible day.”
While Cornes would prefer to keep Kennedy in the backline, the Port Adelaide premiership player and now assistant coach can see the 21-year-old pushing further up the ground in the future.
“If I continue to be the backline coach, I’m going to want him playing off half-back and getting the big jobs every week for the team,” he said.
“But I think he’s definitely got potential to move up onto a wing and maybe play more of a midfield role.”
Watch Adam Kennedy and the rest of the GIANTS in action as they take on Richmond at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park at 1.40pm on Saturday. Click here to get your tickets now.
