Geraldton Guardian’s top 10 Facebook posts of 2023 reveals soaring popularity of Josh Kennedy

We didn’t need any more proof about Josh Kennedy’s popularity, but the Geraldton Guardian’s top 10 Facebook posts for 2023 reveals just how cray-cray we are for JK.

Kennedy was the central figure in four of the newspaper’s top 10 Facebook posts last year.

The No. 1 post was about Kennedy putting his South Freo pad up for sale as he and his family moved back to the Mid West following his retirement from West Coast. That post in September had a staggering reach of 241,435.

Another JK post about the footballer coming back to play for Northampton in last year’s GNFL finals had a reach of 137,647 and came in at fifth spot.

In fact, five Kennedy posts last year had reaches of more than 100,000.

The Geraldton Guardian’s Facebook posts in 2023 had a massive combined reach of 3.315 million.

Rounding out the top five posts were WA Collingwood player Bobby Hill winning the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in the AFL grand final (reach of 201,455), a food review which sung the praises of Northampton’s Shearing Shed vanilla slice (150,154) and a video of a hilarious encounter of an emu chasing a tourist trying to photograph it at the Pinnacles (138,986).

It seems either sporting stories or tales about nature struck readers’ fancy online, with other top stories revolving around Patrick Cripps’ first AFL final and a Geraldton boatie coming across an injured baby humpback whale.

Of the top 20 Guardian posts with the most reach, 12 were stories about sport.

The paper’s online audience also loved reading about local success stories, especially involving youngsters. While not in the top 10, stories about young hairdresser Stellisha (Kaylee) Woodley heading to France for an industry event, Geraldton schoolgirl Addison Phillips releasing her debut novel on Amazon and Mingenew girl Pippa McTaggart living her best life during AFL grand final week rated extremely strongly.

GERALDTON GUARDIAN TOP 10 FACEBOOK POSTS OF 2023

1. KICKING PROPERTY GOALS: Former West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy is still kicking goals 12 months after his retirement. The Eagles’ greatest-ever goal kicker is poised to make a handsome profit on the South Fremantle house he bought in 2018.

Reach: 241,435Likes: 481

2. HILL’S SUMMIT: West Australian Bobby Hill is now a Norm Smith Medal winner. It completes a remarkable story, the Northam product spent two years pushing for a dream move to the biggest club in the land and is now a premiership hero in his first season.

Reach: 201,455Likes: 4590

3. BIG CALL: “It wasn’t only the best vanilla slice we have ever had but possibly the best sweet treat we have ever tasted — yes, it really was that good!”

Reach: 150,154Likes: 1018

4. EMU RACE: A video of a tourist snapping a picture with an emu has received more than 4000 views on TikTok after it took an unexpected turn, with the 2m-tall bird in hot pursuit of the photographer.

Reach: 138,986Likes: 1323

5. JK IN FOR FINALS: Just a month after his return to the football field, West Coast legend Josh Kennedy will once again lace up the boots for Northampton this weekend as his boyhood club aims to break its premiership drought.

Reach: 137,647Likes: 1561

6. FINALS FEELING: When the final siren went on Patrick Cripps’ first ever final, he slumped to his knees in an outpouring of relief and emotion. There were 10 seasons, 180 games and a Brownlow Medal between the Northampton’s boy debut in navy blue and his first final.

Reach: 116,945Likes: 2007

7. BABY HUMPBACK SIGHTING: A Geraldton boatie has had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with an injured baby humpback whale after it sought his protection, being circled by a tiger shark.

Reach: 115,090Likes: 1883

8. PREMIERSHIP MATES’ PACT: For the first time since the 2018 AFL grand final, West Coast greats Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras will be teammates when they suit up for Northampton later this month.

Reach: 110,453Likes: 1602

9. SUMA SAYS: Adam Simpson must fall on his sword or be pushed — and there’s two former Eagles premiership players who the club should target as a potential coaching package, according to former club great Peter Sumich.

Reach: 105,568Likes: 501

10. JK’S STILL OK: The stage and the stakes weren’t anywhere near as big, but Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras shared a footy field for the first time since West Coast’s 2018 grand final victory as they pleased an adoring crowd in Geraldton.

Reach: 105,112Likes: 839