West Coast Eagles premiership star Josh Kennedy announces shock AFL retirement effective immediately

West Coast veteran Josh Kennedy has announced his shock retirement from the AFL, with the premiership winner to play his final match at the Eagles’ home game against Adelaide on Sunday.

Kennedy, who turns 35 later this month, says an ongoing knee issue was the main reason behind his decision to retire effective immediately, despite there being three games to go in the regular season.

The 292-game full forward will be stranded just a few games short of joining the magical 300 club, but will go down as one of West Coast’s greatest ever forwards, having booted 707 goals for the club – the most ever.

Aside from his 2018 premiership, Kennedy was a two-time Coleman Medallist, three-time All Australian and led the Eagles goalkicking charts for an incredible seven season.

Shannon Hurn (left) and Josh Kennedy hold the premiership trophy aloft after winning the 2018 AFL Grand Final against Collingwood

Josh Kennedy roars with delight after a crucial goal in the Eagles 2018 grand final win

He admitted his body had finally got the better of him, and we would not be able to make it to the 300-game mark. 

‘I think my drive to play is still there, but I’m realistic my body is not going to be able to take me to another season,’ Kennedy said at Tuesday’s retirement press conference.

‘To be able to farewell West Coast supporters one last time at Optus Stadium and say thank you for the incredible support over the years will be the perfect way to finish my career.’

Josh Kennedy and wife Lauren with their daughters Lottie and Sage after Kennedy announced his retirement from AFL footy

Kennedy’s decision to retire this week means he will skip the away western derby against Fremantle in round 22, and the final-round clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

A curious decision given the gravitas that a derby has in footy-mad Western Australia, and he admitted in his mind there was still plenty left to give.

‘I’ve loved this game for so long, so there’s probably a little bit left in the tank in terms of my headspace,’ he said.

‘But body-wise it’s probably sitting on that empty bit where your fuel gauge is flashing red, but you still drive a bit and you’ve probably got 30km left.’ 

Josh Kennedy celebrates with fans after winning the 2018 grand final 

Eagles coach Adam Simpson lauded the effect Kennedy had on the club – particularly the way he stood up in big moments. 

‘Josh is going to be one of the game’s greats and one of the club’s greats,’ he said.

‘What he’s done in my time at the club, it’s just been a pleasure to see and watch. Coleman Medals, the ability to stand up in big games. Clutch, not just goals, but clutch moments.

‘I can remember the prelim against North Melbourne in 2015 where we were 20 points down, hadn’t scored a goal, and he took this contested mark 50m out and just rolled and slotted it.

‘That just sums him up. He’s a big-game player, but he also loves his teammates and loves his club,’ said Simpson.

Josh Kennedy has kicked more than 700 goals in his incredible AFL career

West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff echoed his coach’s sentiments, and said he believed his teammate should go down as one of, if not the, best Eagles player of all-time. 

‘He’s right up there,’ Gaff told SEN on Tuesday when discussing whether Kennedy would go down as one of West Coast’s greatest ever players. 

‘He’s been an absolute warrior for our football club … I’ve never seen someone limp around and struggle so much during the week but then find a way to not only get up but kick lots of goals.’

Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal against his former club Carlton in round 17

Kennedy also kicked 11 goals across 22 games for Carlton in the first two years of his career after being a highly-touted pick five in the 2005 National Draft. 

He was part of perhaps the most famous trade in AFL history; when Eagles great Chris Judd and pick 46 got sent to Carlton in exchange for Josh Kennedy, pick three and pick 20 at the end of 2007. 

Kennedy’s announcement comes on the back of Fremantle legend David Mundy’s retirement on Monday after 19 seasons. 

Steven Motlop also revealed he would be retiring after 217 matches across Port Adelaide and Geelong.