In a momentous return to football, Greater Western Sydney's veteran Adam Kennedy will make his comeback this weekend via the GWS Giants' VFL side.

This marks a significant milestone for Kennedy, who is one of the few Giants left from the inaugural 2012 team and has been sidelined for 427 days following a severe ACL injury.

The Giants announced the news Friday morning on X.

Kennedy has been plagued by injuries throughout his entire career,ย rupturing his right ACL in a match against Brisbane in April 2023, cutting short his season after just five games.

This was not his first major injury; he previously underwent a knee reconstruction on his left knee in 2017 and a shoulder reconstruction in 2021, earning him the nickname 'Crusket Man' for his troubles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Adam Kennedy of the Giants is seen injured on the bench during the 2017 AFL round 07 match between the St Kilda Saints and the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on May 05, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Despite the setbacks, Kennedy's resilience never wavered. After being delisted in October 2023, the Giants reaffirmed their faith in him by committing to select him in the Rookie Draft, ensuring his place within the club.

Recruited from the Western Jets in the TAC Cup before the 2011 AFL Draft, he was part of the Giants' inaugural squad and made his debut in the club's first-ever game in Round 1 of the 2012 AFL season. Since then, he has played 153 games and become a key figure in the team's development, featuring in their historic Grand Final appearance in 2019.

The return of Kennedy will provide an emotional lift for the entire club, let alone the Giants' VFL side. As he finally dons the Giants' jersey once again, fans and teammates alike will hope that his return marks the beginning of a successful chapter in his career, as he strives for a potential landmark AFL selection.