Australian Football

Rick Kennedy was a gritty, hard working, hard hitting full back whose style of play was Footscray through and through. He hailed from Traralgon, and made his senior VFL debut in 1981. When he retired in 1991 he had played 158 games for the Bulldogs, kicking 34 goals. He was appointed Footscray captain in 1986, and made his sole state of origin appearance for Victoria the same year. Kennedy retained the club captaincy for three seasons.

Although Kennedy seldom racked up high disposal tallies, neither did his opponents, most of whom would leave the ground at the end of a match nursing numerous bruises and sore spots. Kennedy's enthusiasm and determination were such that he was prone, on occasion, to falling foul of umpires, and during the course of his career he was hauled before the Tribunal on no fewer than half a dozen occasions.

Author - John Devaney