Josh Kennedy Biography

Josh Kennedy has officially played his last game for the Swans after tweaking his hamstring again.

Kennedy was always considered a long shot to return in the 2022 AFL Grand Final if the Swans make it that far, but this latest setback has put a final full stop on his career.

Josh Kennedy announces his retirement effective at the end of the 2022 season, thereby ending a decorated career spanning 290 games and two clubs.

Off the back of 29 disposals in the VFL, Josh Kennedy is now fit enough for a return to the senior side but there is no guarantee the 34-year-old will be brought straight back into the frame.

Kennedy hasn't featured for the Swans in the AFL since he badly injured his hamstring in the round 10 loss to Carlton.

"He understands the evolution of the team and where his role sits in that process. He's absolutely open to playing any role that we want him to play. We see him contributing to the team whether it's this week or in coming weeks," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

Sydney name three co-captains for season 2022. Josh Kennedy has stepped down as co-captain with Callum Mills to take his place alongside Luke Parker and Dane Rampe.

"Josh approached me mid-way through last season and said, 'Millsy’s ready'. To identify that, foster it, and then make a selfless decision, sums up the sort of person Josh is. I know he will continue to be an important mentor," Sydney coach John Longmire said of Kennedy's decision to step down.

Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn sign new contracts to play on with the Eagles in 2022.

Josh Kennedy will miss at least six weeks after rupturing the medial ligament in his knee against Richmond.

Kennedy will not require surgery, but will be in a brace for several weeks.

Josh Kennedy plays his 250th game on the same day his grandfather, AFL Legend John Kennedy snr, died.

Sydney coach John Longmire lavishes praise on champion midfielder Josh Kennedy ahead of his 250th.

"I feel very lucky to have coached Josh. He'll go down, whenever he finishes up, as not only one of the club's greats but also one of the all-time greats," Longmire said.

"His record is extraordinary ? not only his consistency from week to week over a long period of time but also how he's got the ability to rise to the biggest occasions. Some of his best performances have been in finals games and Grand Finals, when the heat's at its best."

Lance Franklin is the new face in Sydney's player-voted leadership group for 2020, joining co-captains Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, as well as young gun Callum Mills.

The Swans have slashed the group from eight players to five, with retired pair Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley no longer involved.

Luke Parker and Dane Rampe join Josh Kennedy as co-captains of Sydney for season 2019 and beyond.

"They've already been a huge support of mine over the last two years and no doubt this will take it to another level," Kennedy said.

"I did enjoy the honour and responsibility (of being sole captain) but I'm more excited about this opportunity for Luke and Dane."

Sydney skipper Josh Kennedy says draftee Ryley Stoddart has impressed the club and is in the running for a debut in the Swans' 2018 season opener.

"Ryley really impressed in the two practice games, and he's been a highlight of the JLT Series," Kennedy said.

"We put some young players out there to see how they go and he was one that really put his hand up.

"He certainty turned a few heads with the playing group and coaching staff."

Sydney captain Josh Kennedy admits he questioned his decision to accept the role of skipper after his side made a disastrous start to the season.

"Absolutely I questioned myself, and I still am," Kennedy said.

"It's no different now to when we were 0-6, being a leader within the football club you're always questioning what you can do to help your teammates and what you can do to help the team.

"You question yourself and wonder if you're the right man for the job, and those questions were certainly asked, and were pretty pointed internally.

"But I'm quite fortunate to have a good support network around me outside the club, and from the board down, the coaching staff and my teammates made it pretty easy."

Dane Rampe says Sydney's pre-season choice of Josh Kennedy as captain of the club for 2017 took the players by surprise.

"Yeah it did, to be honest, but the time couldn't be any better for 'Joey' (Kennedy) to come in," Rampe said.

"Nothing against the other boys, they've led us magnificently, but he's so well credentialed and so well respected, it just seemed like the perfect option.

"He's the most consistent player I've ever played with, and I think first and foremost that's what he's got to worry about, but knowing his nature, he's going to want to bite off as much as he can."

Josh Kennedy is named as the sole captain for the Swans in 2017, replacing former co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, who decided to step down after off-season discussions about the future of the club with coach John Longmire.

"There's aspects of my leadership that are going to evolve and improve, and there's no doubt that has to be the case," Kennedy said.

"I know I'll have the support of the leadership group and together we're steering the ship which I take great confidence out of.

"It's still a little bit daunting but not much has to change, and that's due to Jarrad (McVeigh) and Kieren (Jack), and the captains before them who have set the foundations."

Josh Kennedy signs a contract extension with Sydney to remain at the club until the end of 2020.

Josh Kennedy wins his third Bob Skilton Medal as Sydney's club champion.

He polled a perfect 50 votes in the Grand Final to bring his total to a club record 922 votes and pip fellow onballer Dan Hannebery (913) in a thrilling finish.

"We're just really lucky to have him," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"He's a player whose consistency since he's been at our club has been nothing short of remarkable.

"Josh never plays a bad game. His will and competitive spirit to be able to play well in the biggest games year in, year out is quite amazing – he's just simply one of the best big-game players there is."

Josh Kennedy wins the inaugural Gary Ayres Award as the best player of the 2016 finals.

"Josh's performance in the Grand Final was wonderful, but he's the inaugural winner of our Gary Ayres Award because he polled votes in three of the Swans' four finals," AFLCA CEO Mark Brayshaw said.

"He's had a mighty September of football and is a deserved winner."

Josh Kennedy says losing the 2016 Grand Final against the Bulldogs hurt more than 2014 when the Swans were thumped by Hawthorn.

Kennedy played himself to an absolute standstill in defeat, finishing second in Norm Smith Medal voting for his 34 disposals (17 contested) and three goals.

"It probably hurt a little bit more (than 2014) because it felt like we had a chance, we were having a crack and at critical moments in the game they stood up and we didn't," Kennedy said.

The AFL has called on the Sydney Swans for more information about Josh Kennedy's concussion test after the midfielder was dazed following a hard bump from Giant Steve Johnson.

Kennedy had to leave the field after the first-quarter clash, but he returned and played out the game.

The Swans insist Kennedy was not concussed and he passed the required test before returning to the field.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says his team will get exposed if they start to rely on star forward Josh Kennedy too much.

Kennedy is on track to claim back-to-back Coleman medals following his seven-goal haul against Fremantle on Sunday.

"I know Kennedy's winning the Coleman and people probably think ... that if he doesn't score, we won't win," Simpson said.

"But we can't rely on JK to kick seven for us to perform.

"And for us to try to isolate him – it's almost impossible if you try to do that. Defenders now are just so smart at dropping off non-dangerous players.

"If we have a pattern where we try to expose that, we'll get exposed really quick.

Josh Kennedy has not travelled with the Eagles squad to Adelaide on Thursday to remain in Perth for as long as possible with his partner Lauren, who is expecting their first child.

The Eagles confirmed that Kennedy had not travelled with the side ahead of Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, but he is still scheduled to travel on a later flight.

Dan Hannebery and defenders Dane Rampe and Heath Grundy have been added to the Sydney Swans leadership group for 2016.

The trio was voted into the new roles by teammates on the Swans' pre-season camp to Coffs Harbour a fortnight ago, joining co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, plus Nick Smith, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker in the eight-man group.

Josh Kennedy becomes a dual club champion after taking out the 2015 Bob Skilton Medal as Sydney's best and fairest.

The former Hawk led the competition for contested possessions, stoppages and clearances this year, and has now incredibly finished on the best and fairest podium in each of his six seasons in Sydney.

Kennedy – who won his first best and fairest in the Swans' last premiership year of 2012 – capped off a brilliant season by taking the award from All Australian Dan Hannebery, with co-captain Kieren Jack in third.

Luke Parker caps off a stunning season by taking out Sydney's best and fairest award for 2014.

Parker polled in all bar three games across the season to finish on 758 votes, well clear of Kennedy (709) and Franklin (688).

"Luke is a wonderful competitor and to win a club champion award at 21 years of age, after just 82 games' experience, is a great achievement," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"When you look at the players behind him – Kennedy and Franklin – you quickly get an understanding of how good a season he has had and how highly we think of him as a player.

"Luke was taken as quite a late draft pick, but he really is testament to where hard work can get you, and we value that highly."

The family of Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy is once again dealing with divided loyalties as the Swans get ready to take on Hawthorn in a Grand Final.

Kennedy's father and grandfather, John jnr and John snr, were part of seven premierships with the Hawks during their playing and coaching careers.

Having already watched Josh lead the Swans to victory over Hawthorn in the 2012 decider, they are now preparing to watch him try to help deny the Hawks another flag on Saturday.

"Josh made his decision and that was the right decision for him, and I thought Hawthorn did the right thing by him, particularly Alastair Clarkson," John Kennedy snr said.

"I have no grizzles or growls (about it).

"Sentimentally, I'd like to see Josh running around in the Hawthorn guernsey, but there's no sentiment in League football."

Josh Kennedy is substituted out of the Swans' game against St Kilda after sustaining a hamstring injury.

"He just had some hamstring tightness," Longmire said.

"He didn't feel it go, but it felt tight at the back end of the first quarter.

"He went out at the start of the second and tried to get it going and was still a bit tight in his hamstring, so we subbed him off.

Despite a current streak of 107 consecutive games, Josh Kennedy admits he's carried groin issues throughout his career.

"I was starting to get groin issues at the end of last year. That's something that's been a factor my whole career," he said.

"If I'm just constantly churning out sessions, carrying 96 kilos, it takes its toll.

"So it's just about managing that and I've got a good balance with the fitness staff and I know my body better now."

Jarrad McVeigh claims his second Bob Skilton Medal as Sydney's best and fairest for 2013.

McVeigh polled 809 votes to finish ahead of fellow co-captain Kieren Jack (769) and last year's winner Josh Kennedy (750).

"In a season where injuries struck down key personnel, Jarrad has been a consistent contributor all year," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"Both on and off the field, Jarrad's leadership has been outstanding.

"His ability to adapt at various stages of the season and go into the defence shows his versatility and ability to play his role for the team at all ends of the ground.

"Jarrad stood up in big games throughout the season and led from the front. He's an outstanding player and co-captain and a real leader at the club."

Josh Kennedy says he expects extra attention from opposition players in 2013 after establishing himself as one of the league's premier midfielders in 2012.

"I think there will be a little bit more pressure on me. I've slipped under the radar the last few year," he said.

"It could be a tough year. I do expect to be tagged more, I'd be naive if I didn't.

"I'll at least be preparing for it. It depends on the individual you're playing on and finding what they like to do and finding what they don't like to do and exploiting it. It's just a week-to-week thing."

After establishing himself as one of the game's premier midfielders, Josh Kennedy says he is still refining his game.

"I certainly don't want to go backwards," Kennedy said.

"I'm always looking to improve. There are little things I can tweak, maybe playing a few different positions, getting more on the outside.

"But I just need to make sure the essence of my game is as strong as it's always been."

Josh Kennedy will remain at the Swans for at least another four years after signing a new deal with the club.

"When I came here four years ago, to think that I would be in the position that I'm in now signing another four-year deal is an amazing feeling," Kennedy said.

"It was something I always wanted to do and, given the opportunity, I felt that I could turn things around for myself and the Swans were willing to give me that opportunity.

"They were really clear with what they expected from me in my role and it's just gone from there with games and confidence. I just love being part of this group with ... my teammates who are now my family up here. It's a fantastic journey and hopefully it's still only beginning."

Josh Kennedy's fairytale season continues, scoring a record total in the Swans' best and fairest.

With 877 votes, Kennedy won the award by 172 votes from fellow All Australian Ted Richards, and Norm Smith medallist Ryan O'Keefe in third.

"Every year we implore our players to improve and in the three seasons he has been at our club, Josh has just kept getting better and better," Sydney head coach John Longmire said.

"To poll votes in every game is an outstanding achievement in itself and is testament to his consistency this season."

Despite being a Hawthorn supporter, Josh Kennedy's father John Jr says he is proud of his son's achievement after the Swans defeated Hawthorn to win the 2012 AFL premiership.

"I'm just really happy for Josh, because it was a big move for him to go,'' he said.

"But if he'd said to me three years ago that he'd be doing what he's doing right now, I'm not sure I would have ever thought that was going to happen.

"I would have preferred (Sydney) to play someone else. But it was Hawthorn and that's the way it is.''

Josh Kennedy has had an outstanding season and says the Swans' style of play suits him perfectly.

"I love the rawness of it and how much it's just stripped back," he said.

"It's just basically a lot of one-on-one contests, it's a game of inches, and that's what I really love about it.

"I think it suits me and I think it suits our game plan and our game style we want to play."

Swans coach John Longmire says the already impressive Josh Kennedy is continuing to improve as an AFL player.

"He's hard and clean in the midfield," Longmire said.

"He's a big-bodied midfielder who's hard to shift and he's got real confidence in himself now.

"He's been putting together consistent football the last couple of years and is even lifting it again now. He's a hard match-up and he takes some beating when he's playing well.

"His consistency is remarkable, he's been able to string good games after good games regularly and he's even lifting his quality of what he classifies as a good game."

Swan Josh Kennedy says he will continue to use his 188cm and 96kg frame to his advantage at stoppages in 2012.

"That's my role within the side, to use my size," Kennedy said.

"I'm pretty big for a midfielder so I try to get the ball out of there in congestion and get it the outside to the run of Jets (Lewis Jetta) and Kieren Jack and the blokes who can burn out the back."

New Swan Josh Kennedy says Sydney's track record with recycled players was a factor in his decision to head north.

"They've got a good record with Craig Bolton and Ted Richards - just a couple of names that come to mind," Kennedy said.

"Obviously I've got a fair bit of improvement to go and a bit of hard work to do to create a name for myself, in a sense, but it was certainly a factor in making the decision."

New Sydney Swans recruit Josh Kennedy explains it was in his best interests to leave the club where his father and grandfather were legends.

"It was a really tough decision. I made sure that I took the time and spoke to the right people - family, friends, all the people at Hawthorn including Alastair Clarkson and everyone else involved, just to see where they thought I sat and what was the best path for me in terms of opportunity and being able to play senior football," Kennedy said.

Hawthorn midfielders Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn have been traded to the Sydney Swans for draft selections 39, 46 and 70.

"While we are disappointed to be losing both Josh and Ben to the Sydney Swans we understand that both players have been presented with opportunities that they see as attractive and wish them well for the future," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.