The manager of Carlton midfielder Matthew Kennedy has detailed the Blues’ discussions to allow the onballer to look for a new club this off-season, with the most “likely scenario” revealed for the 27-year-old.
Contracted for the 2025 season, Kennedy has been informed by Carlton that the club is open to facilitating a trade if a keen suitor emerges for his services this off-season.
Kennedy holds hopes he can hold a role as an inside midfielder in the navy blue, however Carlton’s engine room ensemble has the ex-Giant placed some way back in the pecking order and often featuring at half-forward instead.
The end of Kennedy’s 2024 campaign came with some adversity, with the midfielder in hospital due to illness days out from Carlton’s elimination final against Brisbane before making a late dash to Queensland following the birth of his son. He was subbed out of the season-ending defeat prior to half-time in what was a frustrating outing for the onballer.
The situation that surrounds Kennedy has led to “honest” discussions between both parties, with Kennedy given the green light to look elsewhere ahead of October’s trade period.
The Blues ball winner remains open to staying at Princes Park however, while Kennedy will want to remain in Victoria if he does move to a third AFL club.
Speaking on Gettable, Kennedy’s manager Dave Trotter said Kennedy looks mostly likely to stay with the Blues but will keep his options open.
“That was a really honest chat,” Trotter said.
“I think a few clubs I’ve spoken to assumed it was because he got subbed off (against the Lions). He had a pretty big week Matt, he was in hospital at the start of the week sick then 48 hours later for the birth of his first child. Then he flew up and got subbed off.
“But we’ve had honest chats with Matt and the club right throughout the year. He sees himself as an inside mid. He’s really happy at Carlton and will happily stay there, I think that’s the likely scenario, but the club just had an honest chat to say ‘If you had the opportunity with a club from Victoria that had a role for you and you thought that was what you wanted to do, then go for it’.
“Matt hasn’t said ‘I want out’ or anything like that. If something came, then we’d have an honest chat with the club and they’d be open to it.”
Unsigned small forward Matt Owies and contracted key defender Lewis Young are also said to have been told by the club they can look elsewhere this trade period.
Carlton are expected to lure Kennedy’s ex-teammate and GWS free agent Nick Haynes through next month’s signing window, while Port Adelaide’s Daniel Houston is another defensive option linked to the Blues.
The free agency window opens on Friday, October 4, with the 2024 trade period commencing on Monday, October 7.
