Special milestone in Josh Kennedy’s reach

It won’t quite be Buddymania, but West Coast forward Josh Kennedy will join a special club if he can boot four goals against Richmond on Friday night. Kennedy enters the match at Optus Stadium on 696 goals, and he will become just the 25th player in AFL/VFL history to reach the 700 mark if he can snag four against the Tigers. Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt is the most recent player to have reached the mark after booting his 700th goal last year, while retired Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich hit the milestone in his 353rd and final AFL match in 2016. Kennedy is almost certain to retire at the end of the season, but the 34-year-old still remains a vital part of the Eagles team. The two-time Coleman medallist has booted 10 goals from five games this season despite being starved of opportunities. Kennedy reluctantly arrived at West Coast at the end of 2007 as part of the famous trade that sent Chris Judd to Carlton. Although Judd went on to win his second Brownlow medal while at the Blues, West Coast were eventually viewed as the winners from the deal after Kennedy turned into a superstar forward. “He’s a warrior,” West Coast coach Adam Simpson said of Kennedy, who played a vital role in the club’s 2018 premiership campaign. “He’s a legacy player at our football club. He puts his body on the line every week and he rarely lets you down. “He’s paid us back well and truly for the recruitment. “Hopefully he breaks the 700 mark and continues to go on. “He’s been a sensational leader for us on and off the field. He’s a special one.” There were wild scenes at the SCG in round two when Franklin was mobbed by thousands of fans after booting his 1000th goal. The scenes for Kennedy won’t be quite so dramatic, but the veteran would no doubt love to reach the mark on home soil rather than in next week’s clash with Brisbane at the Gabba. West Coast have been boosted by the return of Jeremy McGovern for Friday’s match, but Elliot Yeo (concussion) and Bailey Williams (hamstring) were ruled out. Richmond opted to rest veterans Trent Cotchin and Robbie Tarrant, but Dylan Grimes and Kane Lambert return. Defender Sydney Stack has also been named for his first match of the season. “His training form has been good. His form at VFL level has been stellar as well,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said. “Defensively he’s been very very good. Offensively Sydney will always impact the game. He’s quite special in that part of it.” Australian Associated Press

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It won’t quite be Buddymania, but West Coast forward Josh Kennedy will join a special club if he can boot four goals against Richmond on Friday night.

Kennedy enters the match at Optus Stadium on 696 goals, and he will become just the 25th player in AFL/VFL history to reach the 700 mark if he can snag four against the Tigers.

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt is the most recent player to have reached the mark after booting his 700th goal last year, while retired Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich hit the milestone in his 353rd and final AFL match in 2016.

Kennedy is almost certain to retire at the end of the season, but the 34-year-old still remains a vital part of the Eagles team.

The two-time Coleman medallist has booted 10 goals from five games this season despite being starved of opportunities.

Kennedy reluctantly arrived at West Coast at the end of 2007 as part of the famous trade that sent Chris Judd to Carlton.

Although Judd went on to win his second Brownlow medal while at the Blues, West Coast were eventually viewed as the winners from the deal after Kennedy turned into a superstar forward.

“He’s a warrior,” West Coast coach Adam Simpson said of Kennedy, who played a vital role in the club’s 2018 premiership campaign.

“He’s a legacy player at our football club. He puts his body on the line every week and he rarely lets you down.

“He’s paid us back well and truly for the recruitment.

“Hopefully he breaks the 700 mark and continues to go on.

“He’s been a sensational leader for us on and off the field. He’s a special one.”

There were wild scenes at the SCG in round two when Franklin was mobbed by thousands of fans after booting his 1000th goal.

The scenes for Kennedy won’t be quite so dramatic, but the veteran would no doubt love to reach the mark on home soil rather than in next week’s clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.

West Coast have been boosted by the return of Jeremy McGovern for Friday’s match, but Elliot Yeo (concussion) and Bailey Williams (hamstring) were ruled out.

Richmond opted to rest veterans Trent Cotchin and Robbie Tarrant, but Dylan Grimes and Kane Lambert return.

Defender Sydney Stack has also been named for his first match of the season.

“His training form has been good. His form at VFL level has been stellar as well,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

“Defensively he’s been very very good. Offensively Sydney will always impact the game. He’s quite special in that part of it.”

Australian Associated Press