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Footscray   Rick Kennedy   Footscray

Number:

  8 Footscray

Western Bulldogs

Red white and Blue

Height:

  188

Weight:

  89

Birthday:

  11 December 1960

Period on list:

  1981 to 1991

Senior Games:

  158

Goals:

  34

Disposals:

   

Recruited From:

  Traralgon
Honours:   Captain 1986, 1987 and 1988. Victorian representative in 1986. Nominated for Team of the Century. Best and Fairest Traralgon U19.
  He took up football at the age of 17 after a taunt from his mates and soon booted bags and bags of goals. He was put on the list in 1979 but didn't get a game and in 1980 injury stifled his form. He was dropped after the end of 1980. But he worked so hard on the weights in the off season with his mate Kelvin Templeton that they decided to give him another go. Then the coach Royce Hart got sick and the care-taker coach Frank Goode stuck him at centre-half back.

This was a good move as Kennedy first demolished Melbourne's Tony Dullard then Carlton's Mark Maclure. Ricky was a tough rugged and uncompromising half back and full back, who had a strong dislike for forwards. He was the meanest of the meanest of backmen.

Then half way through his first season he got caught biffing Geelong's Malcolm Reed and was hit with a three week suspension. The as soon as he came back he got caught again.

  

Footscray

  He did a good job. In his first 6 seasons he was reported at least once each season. "I shall have to reassess my performance," he said.  
Western Bulldogs He changed his ways after he became more experienced and was never reported again. But he didn't let up on the full forwards either. He learnt the value of restraint, perceptions and a reputation. He said that people were ready for him to bash them so they were not concentrating on their footy.  
     
  The fans loved him, he could kick the ball a mile. He had famous earth-shaking stands with Tony Lockett, almost getting killed by Lockett one day when he landed on top of him. But in all of the games against Locket Rick kept him to half of his normal daily score.  
     
  He is a true Bulldog hero and son of the scray. In 1996 he ran a campaign to keep the Bulldogs alive and he won. Out went the previous administration headed by Galimberti and Gordon who wanted a merger with North Melbourne.  They were glad to see someone else take up the fight to keep the club alive and offered their full support for Rick. He appointed Terry Wallace for a two year term as coach, broke off merger talks with North and resigned Chris Grant.  
     
Click to return to Home page  Became a motivational speaker and Bulldog chairman of selectors.