Draft Profile Ben Kennedy

[aussierulesrules]

Age (by draft day): 18
Height: 174cm
Weight: 76kg (Source: contestedfooty.com)

Been really keen on him for a few weeks. Basically sounds like another Boomer Harvey, but who kicks predominately on his left. Very short, but super-quick and can get lots of it in the midfield and will then take them on when he gets the pill and run and carry and kicks plenty of goals (whether playing on ball, or stationed up forward). Sounds a bit like a mix of Luke Power and Boomer Harvey, style wise and has a strong looking body already.

Ought to be ready to go from R1 next year, especially if the club he goes to has a spot available in the forward pocket. Would also be a perfect candidate for the green jacket, initially.

Apparently Adelaide looked very closely at him last year, when they had the 2nd mini draft pick, as he had been kicking arse over there despite being ineligible to be drafted that year, but they ended up going with Crouch, who many reckon would have been certain to go top 3 this year if Adelaide didn't nab him. (He just dominated a senior SANFL final).

Kennedy might have dropped off a bit this year, over in SA (probably knows he's certain to get drafted, so might just be half-waiting for that), but reportedly dominated in the championships over here mid year, just to remind everyone how good he is.

Here are some video highlights of him. Really like the look of him :
http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/76/contentid/493629/default.aspx

And cop this goal!:

 

[Dietrite1943]

The big issue with Kennedy is his attitude. He apparently hasn't interviewed well with a lot of clubs and hasn't endeared himself to many recruiters.

He thinks he is a monty to get drafted - and he will get drafted - but I know of a couple of clubs who have said there is no way they would go near him because he won't fit into an AFL team environment. I think you may also find that all the story about Adelaide being keen on him last year for one of the U17 selections was just that - a story. Unfortunately quite a lot of people fell for the hype....

 

[Geoffa32]

Good to hear that Ben is giving lip to the recruiters of clubs he does not want to go to.

Hope he "falls" to us.

 

[SydneyPhilly]

I think Adelaide will snare him with their first pick. Fits their structure well, is a talent, and they won't have to worry about homesickness (Not meant to be a jab at crows supporters, more at the soft players who use it as an excuse)

 

[Dietrite1943]

He won't be at Adelaide next year.

 

[Dietrite1943]

Good to hear that Ben is giving lip to the recruiters of clubs he does not want to go to.

Hope he "falls" to us.

You do realise the recruiters talk to each other and it doesn't impress anyone.

 

[tigs2010]

He won't be at Adelaide next year.

Why not?

 

[aussierulesrules]

I'm guessing because of all he's written above!

 

[tigs2010]

I'm guessing because of all he's written above!

Fair chance Adelaide will have two picks. Just wondering how he knows he specifically won't be at Adelaide? He's going to end up somewhere eventually.

 

[Dietrite1943]

Fair chance Adelaide will have two picks. Just wondering how he knows he specifically won't be at Adelaide? He's going to end up somewhere eventually.

I know this looks like a smoke and mirrors attempt but all I can say is that there a few people on here that are a bit more involved in some of these things, like recruiting, than others.

I have no idea what Port Power are thinking but I am almost certain Adelaide won't be drafting him.

 

[tigs2010]

I know this looks like a smoke and mirrors attempt but all I can say is that there a few people on here that are a bit more involved in some of these things, like recruiting, than others.

I have no idea what Port Power are thinking but I am almost certain Adelaide won't be drafting him.

Fair enough then. Someone posted about his poor testing on our board today. Was presumed he was tanking himself to the Crows.

 

[aussierulesrules]

I guess we'll see come draft day. If he did act like a tool in the interviews and Adelaide don't draft him then I guess it will be clear he really is like that and it wasn't just to get himself there, but as tigs suggested, he is likely to end up somewhere.

 

[TheCrouchingCrow]

Aren't the interviews done in groups of a couple of clubs, or can the clubs ask for individual interviews??

 

[headache1]

I know this looks like a smoke and mirrors attempt but all I can say is that there a few people on here that are a bit more involved in some of these things, like recruiting, than others.

I have no idea what Port Power are thinking but I am almost certain Adelaide won't be drafting him.

There's a guy on our board who mentioned that a certain previous recruiter and Kennedy had a pretty terrible interview, but that since his departure, bridges have been mended.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Would that "certain previous recruiter" be Matt Rendell?

 

[Dietrite1943]

I have no idea what Rendell or any 'previous' recruiter thought of him.

Recruiters recruit for the senior coach under their philosophies and rules - they don't recruit for themselves.

 

[Pykie]

Could very well be the replacement of the man you compared him to imo.

 

[Moist Biscuit]

The big issue with Kennedy is his attitude. He apparently hasn't interviewed well with a lot of clubs and hasn't endeared himself to many recruiters.

He thinks he is a monty to get drafted - and he will get drafted - but I know of a couple of clubs who have said there is no way they would go near him because he won't fit into an AFL team environment. I think you may also find that all the story about Adelaide being keen on him last year for one of the U17 selections was just that - a story. Unfortunately quite a lot of people fell for the hype....

As far as I'm concerned he is just as committed as any of the other top 20 prospects and how would you know that he has an attitude problem?

 

[Jell]

You'd have to think his height would be a concern too. Not too many little blokes getting drafted these days.

 

[Silvagnis]

Ballantyne, Rioli, Prestia, Devon Smith, Betts and other short people can play a bit.

 

[aussierulesrules]

As far as I'm concerned he is just as committed as any of the other top 20 prospects and how would you know that he has an attitude problem?

If you're questioning Dietrite's knowledge of him, how is it that you seemingly have knowledge of all the "other top 20 prospects" committment, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Moist Biscuit]

If you're questioning Dietrite's knowledge of him, how is it that you seemingly have knowledge of all the "other top 20 prospects" committment, if you don't mind my asking?

If you're questioning Dietrite's knowledge of him, how is it that you seemingly have knowledge of all the "other top 20 prospects" committment, if you don't mind my asking?

I personally know Ben, he is as committed to his footy as they come, if your looking for a reason to fault him you might want to find something which has legs to stand on

 

[Dietrite1943]

I personally know Ben, he is as committed to his footy as they come, if your looking for a reason to fault him you might want to find something which has legs to stand on

It's totally irrelevant what you or I think Coppo.

But it's pretty relevant what certain other people think.

 

[aussierulesrules]

I personally know Ben, he is as committed to his footy as they come, if your looking for a reason to fault him you might want to find something which has legs to stand on

I'm not looking for a reason to fault him, in fact if you look at the "favourite draft prospect" thread, on the T&T board, you'll see that he is the one I listed. You might have also noticed that I was the one that started this thread and began my write-up with "Been really keen on him for a few weeks."

If we draft him I reckon I'll be pumped (as long as we didn't think he had an attitude problem, or big head).

I was just wondering how you knew he was "as committed as the other top 20 prospects" though, as not many on here would be very familiar with all 20 and how committed they all are, to be able to make a call like that. The fact that you know him personally is a very good start though.

I don't think anyone is questioning his commitment to his footy, BTW, but more how well he will fit into a team environment, if he does happen to have a lot of tickets on himself, or something along those lines.

 

[Anzac16]

Have heard from a good friend that played footy with him as a junior for a quite a few years that he has distanced himself from talking to all interstate clubs. Apparently Crows are very keen on him and vice versa, so if Crows manage to keep their first rounder after this Tippet debacle, they will have a decent chance. GWS very keen on him as well, but not sure whether they take the risk of having a Josh Caddy type situation after just one year at the club. Going to be hell of a player though no matter where he goes.