Josh Kennedy finally steps out of Jobe Watson's shadow

JOSH Kennedy has been following in Jobe Watson's footsteps his entire life, but in recent years he's been catching up on him.

Josh Kennedy

JOSH Kennedy has been following in Jobe Watson's footsteps his entire life, but in recent years he's been catching up on the Bombers superstar.

Kennedy and Watson attended Melbourne's prestigious Xavier College, with the Swans midfielder four years behind.

They are both from famous footballing families, but were not dominant junior stars.

Now, they resemble the prototype big-bodied midfielder, with Josh Kennedy the Brownlow Medal favourite for much of last year and Watson the ultimate winner of the award.

This afternoon their rivalry continues at the SCG.

Kennedy is ready for the challenge.

"I would love the challenge of going head to head with Jobe," Kennedy told The Daily Telegraph.

"I've been compared to Jobe a lot because we're both big midfielders.

"I'm still different in some ways but I watch Jobe a lot and learn from him -- even the way he runs."

Watson is a great role model for Kennedy to follow and has backed up his Brownlow Medal-winning year with an outstanding start to 2013.

"Every year Jobe continues to improve and that's what I'm trying to do," Kennedy said.

"He kicks more goals, wins more possessions and takes more marks and that's what makes him complete."

Kennedy is doing the same and after winning All Australian honours he again leads the competition in contested possessions.

Another parallel between the pair is their late development as players.

Watson was treading water in his early years at Essendon before a heart to heart with his father Tim set him on the right track.

Kennedy played just 13 games in his first two seasons at Hawthorn.

He is yet to miss a game since moving to the Swans in 2010, playing 82 matches straight.
It was a similar story for both players at Xavier College

"Jobe and I weren't as highly regarded at school," Kennedy said.

"We both were good footballers, but not great.

"My cousin Luke Ball was amazing as a schoolboy player at Xavier and he took that high standard into his first years in the AFL at St Kilda."

Swans full-back Ted Richards is another old Xavierian who remains good friends with Watson after starting his career at Essendon.

The All Australian defender knows both players better than most and can see even more physical and mental similarities.

"The are both really well balanced people," Richards said.

"They both love their footy but equally love their time away from the game and are interested in work, study and travel.

"Josh is doing a Masters degree (Commerce) and Jobe is studying at Melbourne University.

"The other thing is neither player goes near the gym but are still very strong."

Following in the footsteps of famous fathers can be a challenge, but it has never presented any problems for Jobe and Josh.

Jobe's dad Tim is a legend at Essendon, having debut at 15 and played 307 games.

Josh's father John Kennedy Jr and grandfather John Kennedy Sr are Hawthorn greats.

The Xavier schoolmates have inherited the same level heads their parents and grandparents showed throughout their illustrious careers.