Thanks JK: From mum, coaches and former Rams everyone loves retiring West Coast great Josh Kennedy

If there was ever to be an Aussie reboot of the Ray Romano-led sitcom, it might fittingly be named “Everybody Loves JK”. Josh Kennedy is the type of player that opposition fans can’t help but like. A selfless, clutch player his teammates can always rely on, and one opposing rivals wished they had on their side. Now the bearded warrior is preparing to run out one last time in the blue-and-gold, an avalanche of tributes have been paid to the 34-year-old, who has experienced pretty much all the ups and down the AFL rollercoaster can offer. From a knockabout kid growing up in Northampton, Kennedy reached the pinnacle of premiership glory and ends his 17-season career as arguably the best ever footballer the Mid West has produced. Even though his mental game is still strong, Kennedy admits his body is running on empty. While this season has been one to forget for Eagles fans, Sunday’s farewell match might be one of the few shining moments in 2022 for the West Coast faithful. While Kennedy’s decision had been widely tipped for some time it was still an emotional moment, none more so than for his mum Jenny Wilson, who has witnessed it all in her son’s footballing journey. “I keep reflecting on the past 17 years and can’t believe how quickly it has gone,” she said. “His youngest sister Abbey was five when he started playing, she’s 22 now and said to me ‘mum I’ve only ever known him as a footballer’ and I think that’s when it sort of really hit us just how long it has been. “I can’t thank West Coast enough for what they’ve done for him and what a brilliant career he had.” While the moment is tinged with sadness, Ms Wilson is thankful that her son gets to go out on his own accord. “He let me know a couple of weeks ago that this weekend would be his last game and I was a bit sad but I was happy he knew his body was done,” she said. “I’m glad he got to make the decision himself and I’m thankful to West Coast for that, not everyone gets to make that make that call. “I’m just so proud I don’t know what else to say really.” Conflicting emotions from fans aside, Kennedy knew it was time to hang up the boots. “From a mental perspective there’s still something left in the tank a desire to go on, but my body is sitting on empty telling me it’s time to stop.,” he said at an emotional press conference on Tuesday. Kennedy moved to Northampton at the age of eight after his parents split, with the move proving instrumental to him ending up on the footy field. “Every since he was young he always said he was going to be a basketballer or play footy and after we moved to Northampton when he was eight, being a small country town you had to play footy and he loved it,” Ms Wilson said. “I never thought he was going to have the amazing career that he has had. “Goes to show you to just never give up and to chase your dreams.” Kennedy could well be a future Hall of Fame inductee and one of the game’s greatest forward, while there’s an argument to be had for him being among the best, if not the best, to play for the Eagles. Whether he goes down as the best AFL player to come from Northampton might be a tougher question. Kennedy was asked this week and he reckons two-time premiership player for Geelong and his junior Rams teammate Harry Taylor has him beat, while Patrick Cripps still has a big career ahead of him. Northampton Football Club president Damian Harris believes it’s a decision he can’t make. “I don’t think you can say that ‘cause there are so many greats still to come,” he said. “But he’s an absolute champion and gentlemen of the game.” Regardless Harris believes Kennedy’s impact on footy will remain long after he departs the field. “He’s an inspiration for all of the young blokes to never forget the dedication and the commitment required to achieve your goals,” he said. “He was a guy who could play football but he is just a fantastic person and that’s the main thing to remember and something he will continue to be after football.” Inaugural Eagle, fellow Northampton export and Kennedy’s coach at East Fremantle, Andrew Lockyer, said Kennedy’s competitive spirit was what allowed him to be so successful. “He was always a good-sized player even at an early age but his competitive spirit and his leadership through his actions is what stood him apart,” he said. “He is one of the most selfless players you will ever see.” When asked where he rated Kennedy among the AFL players to hail from Northampton, Lockyer put him up at the top. “It’s a tough question. I’m last on the list on that list so we will work up from there” he joked. Kennedy spoke of his plans post-football this week, and revealed he was keen to set up his JK Foundation in the Mid West to help disadvantaged youth in regional areas achieve their dreams. “It’s a bit of a passion project to help find and facilitate local youths by providing the resources to help them achieve what they want to,” he said. “Regional youths are often left out compared to metros purely based on location so hopefully, I can bridge that gap.” Lockyer said it was a testament to JK’s character and showed his love for the people of the Mid West. He’s been a regular visitor back home in recent years, and has been a key figure in helping fundraise for cyclone Seroja recovery efforts. “All the AFL Rams guys have that special bond with Northampton and he loves all the people up there and the people love him,” he said. “He had the opportunity to come down here and show of his talent but other kids in the regions may not have that option. “He is going to do great things for not just young footballers but for all rising stars in the region.” Kennedy hasn’t ruled out putting on the Rams jumper again and playing some country footy. “Harry Taylor said we had to play a game together at Northampton, I know he’s busy with Geelong so I’m not sure when that’ll but there’ll definitely be one,” he said. “I always said if Lecca (Mark Le Cras) came and played for the Rams I’d play a few for Cervantes I’d love to just play one more game with him.” The idea of these Rams legends coming together is tantalising and may draw in a few other of the region’s greats. “If Josh Kennedy and Harry Taylor join up together I’ll do my best to get out there,” ex-Fremantle champion and Northampton boy Paul Hasleby told the Guardian this week. “Although I play full forward nowadays so not sure how we are all going to fit in the forward line.” “Harry Taylor might have to move back to defence,” he joked. Hasleby had nothing but praise for Kennedy, rating him as not only the best West Coast forward but one of the best Eagles of all time. “He’s right up there, I did a list of the best Eagles players of all time the other day and I had him in my top five,” he said. “To kick 700 goals in an immense achievement and will waltz him into the Hall of Fame.” It might be a while before we see him in those Rams colours as after 17 seasons at the top some believe he will take some well earned time-off. “I think JK is so intent on just getting away from Perth and going back to Geraldton/Northampton,” Lockyer said. “He’ll just disappear for a while, he’s a country boy at heart.” Meanwhile, his mum is just looking forward to having some more time with her son. “I know his wife Lauren and the girls (daughters Lottie and Sage) will be happy to have him around more and I’m sure he’ll take a bit of a break before moving on,” she said “We’ll get to see him more which I know will be nice.” Whatever the future holds for Kennedy all eyes will be on him this weekend to see him run out for one final time. “We’re all going to be there this weekend, the whole family, all the nieces and nephews so there’ll be a large crew of us there,” Ms Wilson said. “He knows how proud I am on him, I know I’ll probably shed quite a few tears at the ground, but I couldn’t be happier.” Harris said all of Northampton would be watching Kennedy’s swan song. “Northampton isn’t a small country town, it’s a community I know all of us will be watching whether down there or on the TV,” Harris said. “It’s time to pass on the baton and it’s a credit to him as a person that he recognised it was the right time.” Hasleby echoed the sentiment believing it is always sad to see a great step away from the game. “There’s a little bit of sadness when someone of his calibre retires but it will be a celebration and I hope a big crowd turn out at Optus for it,” he said. “Football has a way of evolving and I‘m sure there’ll be someone else who comes along and tries to take the mantle of JK. “But I’m not sure we’ll ever see another Josh Kennedy.” Bouncedown for the Eagles game against Adelaide is at 2.10pm on Sunday.