Western Bulldogs recruit Matthew Kennedy has opened up on his Blues exit after beating his former side in the midfielder’s first clash against them on Friday night.
Kennedy was traded to the Bulldogs at the end of the 2024 season following seven years at Carlton, marking the 121-gamer’s third AFL stop after starting his career at GWS.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
And Kennedy, who played all 24 games for the Blues last year but was constantly thrown into different roles, said he saw the writing on the wall during “open” and “honest” conversations with Michael Voss in his exit interview.
But there was no bad blood between Kennedy and his former coach or club, with he and Voss on good terms after catching up at Jacob Weitering’s wedding soon after the trade.
“I suppose it started in my exit interview with ‘Vossy’. We had a really good, open conversation,” Kennedy said in rooms after the Dogs’ eight-point win over Carlton on Friday night.
“It did really end on good terms because he was really honest and upfront with me and where he saw my position in the side. Sort of thought maybe my opportunity was elsewhere, he didn’t kick me out the door or anything.
“So my manager put my name out there and the Doggies came late … it ended really good with Carlton. I actually caught up with ‘Vossy’ maybe a week after the trade at Weitering’s wedding. I had a good chat to him about life, not even really (about) footy.
“I really respected ‘Vossy’ as a player first and foremost, he was a superstar. And then as a coach, he did a lot for my career. I’m very grateful to have played under Michael Voss and I cherish those moments.”
As well as being played in multiple roles and never locking down a midfield spot in Voss’ side, Kennedy started as the sub three times last year and was subbed out of Carlton’s elimination final loss to Brisbane.
While Kennedy said there was no assurance he would get midfield time in Luke Beveridge’s engine room or even a position in the side, he liked the idea of a fresh start after a “really good chat” with the Dogs coach and head of football Sam Power.
“I really liked what ‘Bevo’ said. We have a very strong midfield group, so he didn’t promise me a spot on the midfield or in the team. He said there’s opportunity for a bit of depth if you want to come across and try earn a spot,” Kennedy added.
“I really respected that from ‘Bevo’. I wanted to come here in the end … now I’m onto another chapter of my life and loving early second of it so far. It’s still so early, but I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
The 188cm hard-nosed player is relishing extra responsibilities in the undermanned Dogs’ midfield with the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar sidelined by injury.
It included Kennedy racking up 22 disposals and booting two goals last Friday night while nullifying superstar skipper and “good mate” Patrick Cripps’ output in a defensive role as the Dogs overran the Blues in the second half to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Although Kennedy cheekily admitted with a laugh “it’s always nice to beat your mates,” he didn’t feel like he had a point to prove as such.
“Since getting here I’ve just wanted to earn that respect, the way I started training and now getting into games. I want to earn that respect from players, staff and ‘Bevo’,” he said.
“I had a bit of a role tonight on Cripps, one of my good mates, it was nice to come up against him. He’s such a super player, I knew I was going to have my work cut out, but I enjoyed that fight with him tonight.
“But it was good to just get the win for the footy club.”
Beveridge meanwhile suggested Kennedy would’ve been chuffed to knock off his old side and praised his new recruit’s shutdown role on Cripps.
“Having been in his shoes and played against your old team a couple of times back in the day, I reckon there’s no one more satisfied than Matt Kennedy tonight,” the Dogs coach said post-match.
“Patrick Cripps is an outstanding player and we just needed Matt to do his best to have an influence at the source and make sure Patrick wasn’t at his match-winning best.
“I felt like (Kennedy) was influential in that role but also managed to help us with clearance and with some transition
Discussion about this post