NEW RECRUIT Ben Kennedy says he sees himself filling a role in Melbourne’s forward line in 2016.
The former Magpie, who moved to Melbourne via a trade at the end of last year, has previously run through the midfield but has been earmarked for a spot in the forward 50.
“I played in the midfield in my last two years at Collingwood but I certainly think that I can see a forward role here for myself,” Kennedy told melbournefc.com.au.
“I’ve been honing my forward craft and I think that’s my strength – I was drafted as a forward.
“So for me it’s about picking that role up again and learning how to play it.”
Kennedy joins Dean Kent and Jay Kennedy-Harris in a group of developing forwards looking to fill a role inside 50 alongside the experienced Jeff Garlett.
“We’re all pretty supportive of each other, it’s a good bunch,” he said.
“We’re always in each other’s pockets and giving each other advice so I think we’ve got a really good group to drive the rest of the boys forward.”
Drafted with pick no. 19 in the 2012 AFL Draft, Kennedy played 25 games for the Magpies across three years, kicking 15 goals.
But the now-defunct substitute role affected his game time at Collingwood, with Kennedy donning the green vest in 12 of those games.
“I feel like in the games that I have played, I’ve been able to prove myself,” he said.
“Now that the sub rule’s gone, I feel that’ll be a massive thing for me in terms of game time and getting reward for effort.
“I’m just looking forward to proving myself [at Melbourne].”
Kennedy said his previous AFL experience had held him in good stead so far, giving him a base knowledge of what to expect in his first year at Melbourne.
“I think it’s good that I’ve had that knowledge from my previous club,” he said.
“It’s not like I’ve come in and don’t understand the terminology and things like that – most of it I’ve picked up pretty quickly.
“I’m really looking forward to playing – it’s an exciting brand of football that we’re playing down here, so I’m loving it.”
A South Australian, Kennedy played junior football at Glenelg with new Melbourne teammates Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen, while he was also friends with Jack Viney through representative football.
“Those guys have been really welcoming and the other boys have welcomed me too, so it’s been awesome,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with them now because everything else has been done, so now it’s just a matter of getting that on-field chemistry.”
With Melbourne opening its NAB Challenge series against Port Adelaide at Playford Alive Oval in South Australia, Kennedy said he was excited to start his Melbourne career at “home”.
“I’ve had to organise a lot of tickets for everyone, because a lot of my family and friends want to come down,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of anywhere better to play my first game for the footy club.”