New details have emerged around the dramatic end to Matt Kennedy’s AFL season after Carlton told the under-contract midfielder he is free to look for a new home.
The 27-year-old was tactically subbed out before half-time of the Blues’ finals defeat to Brisbane two weeks ago in what proved to be controversial move among fans.
Kennedy sacrificed time with family when he flew up to play despite his wife giving birth to their first child two days before the game.
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It has also now been revealed Kennedy himself had been admitted to hospital in the lead-up to the birth and the elimination final.
“He had a pretty big week, Matty,” his manager David Trotter told the AFL website.
“He was in hospital himself at the start of the week sick, then 48 hours later for the birth of his first child, young Theo, then flew up and got subbed off. A lot of emotions came out.”
Trotter confirmed a few rival clubs “assumed” Kennedy’s possible departure — revealed by 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary on Monday — was an immediate consequence of the Blues’ decision to sub him out.
Kennedy appeared filthy when pictured at the back of the bench after being replaced.
But Trotter said there have been “honest chats with Matty and the club right throughout the year” about his role and future.
“He sees himself as an inside mid. He’s really happy at Carlton and will happily stay there — and I think that’s the likely scenario,” Trotter said.
“But the club just had an honest chat, saying mate, if you had an opportunity where — and it’d be a club in Victoria, with a young family — that had a role for you and you thought that was what you wanted to do, then go for it.”
Kennedy is one of three Carlton players told they can look around.
Lewis Young is contracted until 2026 while Matt Owies does not have a deal and is gauging interest.
Kennedy and Trotter, though, have not yet made a move.
“Matt hasn’t said ‘mate I want out’ or anything like that,” the manager said.
“But if there was — I’m not out there canvassing every single club around — but if something came then we’d have an honest chat with the club and I think they’d be open to it.”
Carlton appear likely to land GWS Giants defender Nick Haynes as a free agent while Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston is also on their hit list.
The Blues already delisted five players, with former high-priced recruit Jack Martin already linked to Geelong.
