Following a string of wildly successful outings in Navy Blue across the past eight weeks, white-hot Carlton midfielder Matthew Kennedy has tied his future to Princes Park, signing a three-year deal.
The fresh agreement between the rising Blues and the 15th pick of the 2015 AFL Draft is set to see the 25-year-old stay on Royal Parade until the cessation of the 2025 season.
While initially drafted by the Giants after being tied to the club as a member of their Academy, Kennedy failed to stake his claim in Leon Cameron's star-studded midfield, earning just 19 starts across the course of the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
And although a change of scenery was found during the 2017 trade period, the Collingullie-Glenfield Park junior failed to grasp his second chance swiftly, even falling onto Carlton's rookie list at the completion of the COVID hit 2020 season.
Still, following a string of 10 successive outings to end 2021, Kennedy was elevated onto Michael Voss' senior list ahead of 2022 and has finally found first gear under the champion Lion, producing averages of 25 disposals, 5.1 clearances and 3.4 tackles so far this season.
While an ability to stay put at this peak remains the New South Welshman's newest challenge, Carlton's Head of List Management, Nick Austin, claimed Kennedy's "attitude" and "appetite" have seen his output spike.
“Matt had a great pre-season and has effectively forced himself into a new-look midfield group this year,” Austin told carltonfc.com.au on Wednesday.
“Since Matt returned to the senior side in the second half of 2021, he has been playing great football and putting in solid performances each week.
“His attitude to developing his own game as well as the team game has been instrumental to his career-best form, and he has an electric energy he brings to the group on and off the field.
“Matt has an appetite for hard work and continues to make the most of his opportunities when they arise, he has well and truly earned a long-term deal and we are excited to see him progress with this midfield group in the coming years.”
Kennedy will make his 50th appearance for Carlton this Sunday when he and the 6-2 Blues take on the Giants in the Harbour City.
