Speculation builds on Josh Kennedy’s next move as potential return to Northampton footy looms

Will he or won’t he? Mid West footy fans are anticipating Josh Kennedy’s next move following the star Eagle’s retirement, with a home town return not off the table. Kennedy played his final AFL game against the Adelaide Crows in round 21, kicking eight goals in a 16 point loss to finish his career on 293 games and 723 goals. It wasn’t quite the fairy tale finish Northampton’s own would have been hoping for but a return to the Rams could certainly prove to be a fitting end. Fellow Northampton legend Paul Hasleby fuelled the fire of JK’s potential return on his SEN radio show last week but said he could not confirm the rumour. Hasleby also told the Guardian back in August he would be up for any chance to return home and play for Northampton alongside Kennedy. Kennedy would join junior footy mate and Geelong’s head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor in donning the green and gold jumper at the end of their respective AFL careers. In his pre-retirement press conference, Kennedy hinted he could be up for a return playing for the Rams alongside Taylor. “Harry Taylor made me promise him that we’d have a game together in Northampton, regardless of when that is,” Kennedy said. “He’s obviously working at Geelong at the moment but he does come back a fair bit so I assume there will be one game, I owe him a game in Northampton, so we’ll see how the knee goes.” While the prospect of having JK back on Northampton turf would be enough to get anyone excited, Rams president Damian Harris downplayed the rumours. “Well he hasn’t spoken to me about it, I think there’s a reason he retired from the AFL, his body, and I know his knees are sore,” Harris said. “I think the rigours of football have taken its toll on that man’s body.” Although Harris doesn’t think a playing return is on the cards, he said Kennedy would still be around the club. “In a hypothetical world, it would be fantastic for everyone, but I can tell you honestly I don’t think it will happen.” Kennedy is still intent on giving back to the region that helped raise him, having established the JK Foundation to help disadvantaged youth. One of the first projects for the foundation is a leadership program at Kalbarri District High School.