Why Ben Kennedy returned to Montmorency after one VFL season

Montmorency’s Ben Kennedy loomed as one of the most damaging players in the Northern Football League in 2020 and his lockdown training program could make him even more dangerous.

Ben Kennedy in action for Montmorency. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Montmorency star Ben Kennedy has used the cancelled season to take his fitness to a new level.

Returning to the Magpies after spending 2019 in the VFL, the former Collingwood and Melbourne player looms as one of the most damaging players in the Northern Football League.

A winter training with triathletes has Kennedy is what he believes in the best shape of his life.

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Officially recommitted for 2021, he is champing at the bit to get back to Para Road.

“I got pretty into my fitness, I was working out at a Hurt Locker in Richmond,” Kennedy said.

“I was training with a group of guys that do triathlons and some pretty heavy training.

Ben Kennedy during his first stint at Montmorency.

“Given the pubs and bars weren’t open I thought I’d jump into something else, I focused on exercising for an hour a day.

“I was really looking forward to playing but the biggest change or thing I’ve missed is the Thursday night dinners with the boys and training on Monday talking about what everyone got up to on the weekend.

“This is the first time I’ve had a year of football and you realise the little things you take for granted.”

Kennedy won the Magpies’ best-and-fairest and was named in the NFL Division 1 Team of the Year in 2018.

However, he felt he had more to give and crossed to VFL powerhouse Williamstown for 2019 and helped the Seagulls reach the grand final.

Niggling injuries and a desire to play with his mates saw him return to Montmorency for 2020 alongside former Collingwood teammate Alex Fasolo.

Ben Kennedy wraps up Jake Long. Picture: Michael Klein

Kennedy believes a drought-breaking premiership is within reach.

“I had the one year at Monty and felt I could be pushing myself harder to achieve more and get the most out of my football journey,” he said.

“I was initially going to play two (seasons) but after I played the grand final I had a few niggles and realised my best footy is playing at Monty with my mates rather than taking it too seriously.

“It was a relatively easy decision given I’d signed to play here in 2020 … all my mates are still here and (coach) Garry (Ramsay) is obviously still coach, so I was more than happy to sign on.

“I was quietly confident (about 2020) before everything went pear-shaped and if this year is anything to go by I don’t see why next season would be any different.”

Ramsay has signed a one-year extension, tying him to the club until 2022, while the club’s leadership group – Jesse Donaldson, Patrick Fitzgerald, Ben Walton, Bill Jenkin, Stephen McCallum and Michael Fitz-Gerald – are also on board.