MURRABIT Football Netball Club are set to add prestige to their midfield, with Sydney Swans premiership player Josh Kennedy to join the squad.
The Blues selected the big-bodied midfielder with pick 4 in this year’s Carlton Draft, a promotion that sends famous footballers to play a game with a country club.
Kennedy will run out for the Blues in round 8, when they host traditional rivals Wandella.
The club are also hosting a past-player and premiership reunion the same day, and Kennedy will be staying after the game for a post-match function.
Initially awarded the fifth pick in the draft, Murrabit made an unprecedented trade offer to the Maryborough Rovers.
Draft commissioner Jonathan Brown announced the trade, which included two slabs of Carlton Draught and the pick swap, allowing Murrabit to pick up the youngest of the potential draftees.
Kennedy retired from AFL football last year, after 290 games with Sydney and Hawthorn, being selected as an All-Australian and winning Sydney’s best and fairest three times.
Murrabit president Neil Teasdale said his team had their eye on picking up Kennedy, no matter their pick.
“I think we had him at pick 1 – if we had got the No.1 pick, we would’ve picked him anyway,” Teasdale said.
“Coming from the AFL I think he will probably find the standard a bit slow, but he should be pretty alright I’d reckon.
“I think we’ll just let him do whatever he wants out there.”
Kennedy was one of six former AFL players taking part in the promotion, after more than 300 clubs applied.
Murrabit club legend Nathan Henry said any of the six players would have made a big difference to their side.
“Any of the players would have been fantastic for the day,” Henry said.
“It’s just an added bonus that he’s the youngest, and hopefully that can help keep his body in good shape.
“We wanted to get someone who we thought would impact the game the most, somebody fresh out of the AFL. Josh Kennedy is still young, being only 34. We think he’ll be able to put his stamp on the game.”
Henry said Carlton Draught representatives will be attending the game and there would be coverage from Fox Footy.
“Carlton Draught are the main backers of the day,” he said.
“They’ll be supplying some drinks, beanies and stubby holders for the patrons. They’re also providing us with bar staff to help out with the expected crowd.”
