THE first season under AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss will go down as one to remember and one of transformation for the Carlton Football Club.
It was a year where a number of Carlton players enjoyed breakthrough seasons, whether that was a key milestone, a landmark achievement, the start of a journey or a career-best campaign.
Season snapshot
Playing 17 games for the Blues in 2022 (a career best), Kennedy hit his stride as an inside bull, continuing his terrific form from the backend of 2021 without missing a beat.
Alongside new teammates Adam Cerra and George Hewett, Kennedy played a physical role at the coalface, putting his body on the line in the contest and adding to a deep pool of midfielders also featuring Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
Kennedy collected 30-plus disposals across his opening three games, but it was his team-first attitude that impressed the coaches in 2022.
Winning first use out of the middle while also impacting the scoreboard with seven goals of his own, Kennedy was also instrumental in Carlton stamping its own style of play on the contest, particularly in the team’s early season form.
Suffering a broken jaw in Round 20 saw Kennedy abruptly finish his 2022 campaign, but despite missing the last three games, the 25-year old definitely left his mark on the season.
2022 in numbers
Matt Kennedy averaged 24 disposals a game compared to his previous high of 18 in 2021, in a clear display of his progression as a footballer and his ability to impact games.
As well as collecting an average of 11 contested possessions, five clearances and four inside 50s a game, Kennedy was a workhouse for Carlton through the middle across his 17 games, notching up 50 matches in Navy Blue in the process.
On-field highlight
Kennedy started the year off with a bang, gathering a career-high (and game-high) 33 disposals against Richmond in Round 1, earning himself eight coaches’ votes in the process.
Contributing eight clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal off his own boot (Carlton’s first of the season), Kennedy played a big hand in leading Carlton to a season-opening victory over Richmond for the first time in nine years.
Off-field highlight
Kennedy’s faith in the Club - and vice versa - was on show when the midfielder decided to put pen to paper and sign on until the end of 2025 with the Blues.
Midway through a campaign where he earned a reputation as a mainstay in Carlton’s midfield, Kennedy - who was re-rookied in 2021 before being elevated back to the senior list this time last year - certainly showed he belonged at the elite level.
In their own words
After re-signing with the Carlton Football Club, Kennedy took the chance to reflect on a football career which has had its ups and downs before undoubtedly enjoying his best season yet in 2022.
“We've gone through a lot. I've learnt a lot about who I am as a person and as a player. It has been difficult, but I feel like I've put in the hard work and I'm in a really good place at the minute,” Kennedy said.
“We've got a really good, strong coaching and playing group that are willing to work hard and, doing those hard times, it'll make the good times better. I wouldn't change a thing."
