Collingwood youngster Ben Kennedy knows the challengers for his spot in the AFL side are mounting, but he won’t relinquish it easily.
The 19-year-old first-year Magpie believes it’s the Collingwood new breed’s desire to give everything to be part of the team that has given coach Nathan Buckley so much faith in them.
Kennedy is one of seven Magpies to have made AFL debuts this year.
Four of them – Kennedy, Josh Thomas, Kyle Martin and Sam Dwyer – will play the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But with premiership star Alan Didak on the emergency list, reigning best and fairest Dayne Beams and Hawthorn recruit Clinton Young closing in on AFL comebacks from injury and Andrew Krakouer pressing for a return, they face intense competition.
Kennedy, who will play his seventh game straight since his round six debut, isn’t fazed.
“It’s healthy competition and you are aware of it,” he told AAP.
“I feel as if it just makes you relish the opportunity that you get and makes you really appreciate it because you don’t know how long it’s going to last.
“In saying that, you want to do everything you can to hold your spot.”
Kennedy played three of his first four games as the sub, but has started on the field in the past two, totalling five goals and 37 disposals.
He believes he has a lot more to give.
Having so many teammates also starting their AFL careers has helped him settle in.
So has the support of some established Magpies, particularly vice-captain Scott Pendlebury, who chose the teenager as his pre-training kicking partner and has mentored him during and between games.
Kennedy admits it took time to feel comfortable in the 2010 Norm Smith Medallist’s company.
“At the start I was really intimidated and had a lot of respect for him, it was a little bit overwhelming,” he said.
“But once I got to know him and realised he’s just a normal guy like everybody else he’s been great.”
The Magpies can make it three wins in a row for the first time this season if they beat the Dogs.
But Kennedy expects a stiff challenge from the Bulldogs, who have won two straight themselves and welcome back stars Matthew Boyd and Adam Cooney.
