Frank Kennedy
Francis Michael Kennedy (31 July 1920 – 27 December 1990) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
| Frank Kennedy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Francis Michael Kennedy | ||
| Date of birth | 31 July 1920 | ||
| Place of birth | Vervale, via Garfield, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 27 December 1990 (aged 70) | ||
| Place of death | Garfield, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | Garfield | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 82 kg (181 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1944–47 | Melbourne | 36 (11) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Family
The son of Michael Francis Kennedy (1890-1971), and Ann Maree Kennedy (1892-1977), née Maher, Francis Michael Kennedy was born at Vervale, Victoria on 31 July 1920.
He married Agnes May Stout (1920-1989) in 1946.
Football
Kennedy's first contact with the Melbourne Football Club was on 2 April 1940, 1940, when -- described as a "new man" from "Vervale, Gippsland"[2] -- he took part in the team's training.
In 1944, he was listed as a "new" player -- from the Melbourne Seconds -- in Melbourne's final training list for the 1944 season,[3] and made his debut for Melbourne's First XVIII against Richmond, at Punt Road, on 6 May 1944,[4] and was considered to be Melbourne's best player (in a losing team).[5]
- "Frank Kennedy, from Garfield, was not so conspicuous against Essendon [in round 3, on 4 May 1946], but was one of Melbourne's best the previous week [viz., round 2, on 27 April 1946, his first senior match in the 1946 season] at Carlton.
Playing on a half-forward flank, his leading-out, and general approach to the ball, were features. His present form should keep him in the side." -- "Clubman", 8 May 1946.[6]
- "Frank Kennedy, from Garfield, was not so conspicuous against Essendon [in round 3, on 4 May 1946], but was one of Melbourne's best the previous week [viz., round 2, on 27 April 1946, his first senior match in the 1946 season] at Carlton.
Kennedy was a reserve in Melbourne's losing 1946 VFL Grand Final team. He came onto the field in the final quarter, and was reported for striking and suspended for four matches.[7][8]
Military service
He served in the Australian Army in World War II from July 1943 to February 1945.[9]
Death
He died at Garfield, Victoria on 27 December 1990.
Notes
- Holmesby & Main (2009), p.445.
- Regulars Return to Melbourne, The Argus, (Wednesday, 3 April 1940), p.17.
- Melbourne's Final List, The Argus, (Wednesday, 3 May 1944), p.11.
- v. Richmond, The Age, (Friday, 5 May 1944), p.4.
- Richmond's System, The Age, (Monday, 8 May 1944), p.4.
- The Weekly Times, (Saturday, 8 May 1946), p.32.
- Percy Bentley (7 October 1946). "Essendon take honours in VFL". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. p. 13.
- "Grand final incident: Kennedy out for four weeks". The Age. Melbourne, VIC. 11 October 1946. p. 7.
- Taylor, Percy, "Melbourne are Proud of their Great War Record", The Australasian, (Saturday, 24 June 1944), p.23.
References
- Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2009). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (8th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921496-00-4.
- World War Two Nominal Roll: Private Francis Michael Kennedy (VX137119), Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- B883, VX137119: World War Two Service Record: Private Francis Michael Kennedy (VX137119), National Archives of Australia.
External links
- Frank Kennedy's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Frank Kennedy at AustralianFootball.com
- Frank Kennedy, at Demonwiki.