IN THE 464 days from his Carlton debut in 2018, Matthew Kennedy had played in just one win. He didn’t enjoy a home Navy Blue victory until 16 months after his first Carlton game.

It was a slog.

The narrative the Blues had to keep convincing themselves of was “it will turn” — as Ed Curnow said in his retirement speech to the playing group last year. Now in his seventh year of calling IKON Park home, that wheel has very much turned.

And in doing so, smiles have returned on the faces of Carlton supporters who remained loyal to the football club.

For Kennedy, who is no stranger to bringing the smiles amongst the playing group, the chance to see that engrained on faces of Blues fans young and old in the stands is something he will always savour, particularly when considering where the group came from.

“It’s pretty awesome. We know they’re passionate fans. Now being able to see families come to the game, leave happy and be excited, it’s pretty humbling as a player,” Kennedy told 3AW on Tuesday night.

“Wherever we go or wherever we travel, it seems like we’ve got the home-crowd advantage. We know Carlton supporters are all over the country, it’s pretty cool.

“‘Vossy’ always touched on that you should never take these things for granted as a player. It always gives you a bit of excitement leading into a weekend: being there playing, you’ve got to sit back and pinch yourself at times.

“It’s pretty special.”

There were another 75,000 in the house at the MCG on Friday against Geelong, with Carlton supporters making up the very clear majority on a cold Melbourne night. They were there until well after the final siren with Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ blaring after a Carlton win.

It’s scenes like that which Kennedy has said fuels the playing group to remain “happy and hungry”, going above and beyond for their team — whether that’s in their customary role or not. Kennedy himself is just one example of that.

He had a predominant midfield role on Friday night, accumulating over 30 disposals for just the fourth time in his career, while also providing some ruck relief with Patrick Cripps around the ground as Tom De Koning received a well-earned rest. He’s also spent considerable time up forward this season, already registering nine goals so far.

“Where we’re at, I think everyone is just happy and hungry with whatever role they’re given to put their best foot forward and do their best.

“‘Vossy’ asks a number of guys to play different roles: we’ve sene Cincotta have a few tagging roles, Lachie Cowan has been given some roles. Wherever ‘Vossy’ asks me to play, I’m happy playing and being in the side.

“I think I play my best footy [in the midfield], but I’m happy to play anywhere as long as I’m still in the team . . . I definitely didn’t see myself being a ruckman, that’s for sure.”