Ben Kennedy might not feature again for Montmorency this season

Star Montmorency midfielder Ben Kennedy might not play again this season as he battles to overcome a nasty injury suffered in the Magpies’ season-opener.

Ben Kennedy is tackled by Bronik Davies. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Montmorency could be without star midfielder Ben Kennedy for the rest of the season.

The former Collingwood and Melbourne player returned to the Northern Football League after spending 2019 with Williamstown in the VFL.

However, his first game back only lasted three quarters and he hasn’t been seen since.

Kennedy suffered a serious hamstring injury in the season-opening win over Northcote Park.

It was later revealed to be a hamstring tendon injury, which can take anywhere from three weeks to three months to heal.

Ben Kennedy in action for Montmorency in 2018.

Magpies coach Garry Ramsay said he wasn’t 100 per cent sure he’d see Kennedy on the field again in 2021.

“He tore his hamstring tendon, a really nasty hamstring tear, so it’s indefinite,” he said.

“He may need surgery or he may try and play without surgery, so I’m not sure if he’ll play again this season.

“He went into the game with a bit of hamstring tightness – that’s why he spent the day forward – and it was pretty innocuous.

“We didn’t think much of it at the time, we gave it three weeks, he got his treatment and came back to training and within 10 minutes – even running in straight lines – he said it wasn’t right.”

It’s a bitter blow to Montmorency’s hopes of playing finals.

The Magpies currently sit sixth on percentage, equal on points with fourth-placed Heidelberg and fifth-placed Bundoora.

Ramsay’s men claimed a 48-point win over Whittlesea in their last game before the COVID-enforced lockdown began.

Captain Jesse Donaldson (illness) and key defender Stefan Uzelac (shoulder) are expected to be fit when the season does resume.

“We should nearly have a full list (to chose from) other than Ben,” Ramsay said.

The experienced coach said he was satisfied with where Montmorency sat after the first half of the season.

The Magpies have picked up strong wins over Greensborough and Heidelberg but also dropped games to Macleod and Bundoora.

Ramsay had one goal in mind for the rest of the season.

“The goal for me this year was to have a winning season at a minimum and that would mean going 10-8,” he said.

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“I think it’s been five years since the club had a winning season and we’re on track for that.

“The goal was to finish top three and we’re a bit behind that but we’re still confident.

“I just want to play footy again, I don’t care who we play, if we’re going to finish top three we’ve got to beat the teams around us.”

Should local footy return after the Queen’s Birthday weekend, Montmorency would host Hurstbridge on June 19.