Kennedy’s finish in the Club Champion count was his fifth consecutive top-three finish since joining the club, and the second occasion he was runner-up in the prestigious award, having also won it in 2012.
Despite missing two matches late in the year – the first games he has missed as a Swans player - the 26-year-old earned his second All-Australian honour for his outstanding season, which saw him average 28.6 disposals this year, including 16.1 contested possessions, as well as 6.4 clearances and 4.4 stoppages per game.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, Kennedy said while he was proud of his achievements this year, he is more focused on achieving team success in 2015.
It’s still pretty tough to talk about, but the Grand Final has come and gone now and it wasn’t the result the club was after. How do you reflect on the game now?
I think everyone is extremely disappointed and have been walking on eggshells a little bit. We reviewed the game (last week) which was good to get a few things off our chests. We’re going to learn from it as much as we can and then put it behind us and continue on to next year.
Is there anything in particular that you’ve learnt from it at this point?
I guess it would be to just make the most of our opportunities and to not take things for granted and to not think things are just going to happen.
Looking at the year as a whole, what did you make of your own season in 2014?
I haven’t had too much time to really think about it, but obviously with the way it finished makes it sort of hard to think too positively about the season as a whole. I guess I’ll be able to do that as time goes on and when I get back into my off-season program I’ll think about it a little bit more then, but in general I do think over the course of the year my season was pretty consistent.
You did earn your second All-Australian selection this season; that must be something you’re proud of?
Those kinds of things do come along and I’m certainly really proud of it. It’s something I do look back on even this season and feel very proud and glad that I’ve achieved it. While it is an individual accolade, you do put in a lot of work and it’s good to be recognised.
There were so many great performances from your younger team mates this season. Who stood out for you in 2014?
It’s hard to pick out one, but obviously Luke Parker has had an amazing year and especially his second half of the season. Harry Cunningham is another one, and Jake Lloyd has really impressed me this year. Lloydy has been able to come into the side and his first few games looked as though he had played 50 senior games, so he’s probably one who really surprised me.
There were also a few players who played a handful of senior games this year. Who do you predict will have a bigger year in 2015?
It’s going to be an interesting pre-season and I think Zak Jones is one and Tom Mitchell is another. Toby Nankervis is one who I think could have a big impact next year as well. I could probably go through the whole list, but I won’t, but it will be interesting to see next season.
We’re heading into the off-season, what will you be getting up to?
I’ll be going to Bali. Ben McGlynn is getting married over in Bali, so we’re going over there for a couple of weeks with a few team mates. We’ll be able to relax and switch off, but other than that, just a few other little jet-sets here and there.
