NFL: Ben Kennedy returns to Montmorency for 2020
Ben Kennedy, who had time with Collingwood and Melbourne in the AFL system, has returned to Montmorency in a significant boost for the NFL Division 1 club.
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Dynamic on-baller Ben Kennedy has rejoined Montmorency in a major coup for the NFL Division 1 club.
The former Collingwood and Melbourne player suited up Williamstown in the VFL this year after a breakout debut campaign with the Magpies the previous season.
Kennedy was a member of the Seagulls outfit which narrowly went down to Richmond in this year’s VFL grand final.
The 25-year-old said he had committed to Montmorency because he wanted to “play with his mates’’.
“Obviously, I played there last year with a lot of my good mates, and I loved it,’’ said Kennedy, who claimed the club’s best-and-fairest in 2018.
“I had a year in the VFL because I wanted to get the most out of my footy.
“But given my age and the state of my body, I want to play with my mates rather than having another crack at the AFL. Playing in the VFL was good fun, but it’s definitely a tough competition.’’
Kennedy said Montmorency’s blend of experience and youth has it in premiership contention.
“I may have been at Williamstown but I have been around the club this year and saw what it did in the back half of the season,’’ Kennedy said.
“So, definitely I think we can win the flag next year with guys like Jesse (Donaldson), Ben Walton, Fitzy (Patrick Fitzgerald) and young blokes like Stef (Uzelac).’’
Kennedy said coach Garry Ramsay had galvanised the playing group.
“I did my pre-season there this year before going to Williamstown. I have a lot of time for Garry. He has won over the boys,” he said.
Montmorency president Greg Bowman said the club was “delighted’’ to have Kennedy back in the fold.
“Ben was a very popular and valuable member of our team in 2018 and we believe his big-game experience and his VFL stint with Williamstown will help take us to another level,’’ Bowman said.
“Welcome home Ben.’’
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