Kennedy wins Swans' Skilton Medal

Updated October 06, 2012 13:45:17

Midfielder and All-Australian AFL representative Josh Kennedy has convincingly won the Bob Skilton Medal, Sydney's club champion award.

All-Australian midfielder Josh Kennedy scored a runaway win in voting for the Bob Skilton Medal, the club champion award for premiers Sydney.

In his third season with the Swans after moving from Hawthorn, Kennedy finished third in the count in 2010 and second last year.

He polled 877 points this time, well clear of All-Australian centre half back Ted Richards (705) and last weekend's Norm Smith Medallist Ryan O'Keefe (701).

Kennedy led the league in contested possessions and clearances and finished in the top ten of the Brownlow Medal count.

He also won Sydney's Players' Player award.

Other club award winners included Lewis Jetta (most improved), Alex Johnson (rising star), Nick Smith (best clubman) and O'Keefe (best player in the finals).

Meanwhile, Dayne Beams won his first EW Copeland Trophy as Collingwood's best and fairest for 2012, beating out last year's winner Scott Pendlebury and three-time champ Dane Swan.

Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson secured back-to-back Malcolm Blight Medals, finishing ahead of young guns Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane.

Scott Selwood claimed the honours at West Coast, narrowly ahead of ruckman Dean Cox, Shannon Hurn, Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff and captain Darren Glass.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, adelaide-5000, sa, perth-6000, wa, collingwood-3066, vic

First posted October 06, 2012 07:56:31

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Swans peaking at right time: Kennedy

Updated September 25, 2012 13:36:04

Sydney's star midfielder Josh Kennedy believes the Swans' finals form gives the side reason to be confident of upsetting Hawthorn in Saturday's season decider.

Hawthorn go into the grand final as favourites but has been the less impressive side in the finals and only just squeezed past Adelaide on Saturday.

Sydney had a patchy end to the home-and-away season but bounced back superbly outplaying Adelaide and Collingwood in its finals matches.

"I think in the last few weeks we've internally been really confident in the way we've come into the finals our preparation and the games that we've played," Kennedy said.

"On the weekend our pressure was right up there and if we can bring that intensity it will go a long way to winning the game."

Kennedy, who joined from Hawthorn after the 2009 season, comes into the game looking to emulate his father and grandfather who achieved legendary status with their finals achievements.

The Swans midfielder's grandfather John Kennedy Sr led the Hawks to three flags as coach and father John Kennedy Jr won four premierships as part of Hawthorn's awesome 1980s team.

Kennedy said the only advice he had received from his grandfather was to treat the final as he would any normal game.

"They're always pretty brief and direct that's just how he operates but it was just about trying to stay focussed on Saturday and making sure that I did my best," Kennedy said.

"Just to take the ball and keep it as simple as possible"

The grand final will also be notable for goal umpire Chelsey Roffey has been named as the first woman to officiate in the AFL showpiece.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000

First posted September 25, 2012 13:36:04

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Kennedy continues Eagles' horror injury run

Updated May 01, 2012 15:53:04

West Coast forward Josh Kennedy is set to miss the next three months with scans confirming he requires ankle surgery.

Kennedy suffered the injury after landing awkwardly in a marking contest in Sunday's 10-point victory over Richmond.

Kennedy, 24, returned to the field, but the Eagles claim no further damage was suffered by his efforts to continue.

Kennedy needs a six-to-eight-week recovery period before he can start the process of rebuilding his fitness base.

The key forward's injury is another blow to ladder-leading West Coast, which has already lost All-Australian Mark LeCras (knee) for the season.

Goalsneak Mark Nicoski (hamstring) and winger Andrew Embley (shoulder) are also nursing serious injuries and will not return until the second half of the season.

Kennedy booted 59 goals in 2011, and his absence will put major pressure on fellow key forwards Jack Darling and Quinten Lynch to boost their goalkicking outputs.

The Eagles take on North Melbourne at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, wa, subiaco-6008

First posted May 01, 2012 15:18:26

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Kennedy unstoppable against the Dogs

Published:Sunday, May 22, 2011 7:44 AEST

Josh Kennedy and Luke Shuey of the Eagles celebrate a goal during the round nine AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs on May 22, 2011 in Perth.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, footscray-3011, wa, perth-6000

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