Having been only one of three Blues to play every game in 2024, midfielder Matthew Kennedy would've been shocked to hear Carlton wave him away to find a new home in 2025, ending his tenure at seven years in the navy Blue.
While Carlton are rife with midfield talent at their disposal, Kennedy adds a quality layer of midfield depth to any side seeking it, with a touch of forward craft to boot.
Taken with pick 13 back in the 2015 National Draft, Kennedy's breakout campaign didn't come until 2022, when he averaged nearly 25 disposals across 17 games as one of the primary options behind Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh in the Blues' midfield brigade.
He has since fallen out in favour of Adam Cerra and George Hewett, but will likely find offers to play a similar role somewhere else.
We'll look at four clubs who could look to pounce on the out-of-favour Blue.
2. Melbourne
A fall from grace like never before saw Melbourne depleted through the midfield for much of 2024; losing James Jordon and James Harmes to other clubs, Angus Brayshaw to retirement and Christian Petracca to a horrifying injury.
In addition, Clayton Oliver looks like a shell of himself and rising on-baller Tom Sparrow unfortunately regressed in 2024.
Trent Rivers looks like a valuable midfield find, but the Demons need more bang for Max Gawn's elite tap-work.
Kennedy may thrive as an extra first-possession winner behind Jack Viney, feeding the likes of Rivers and Petracca on the outside, and providing enough depth for Petracca to roam forward and hit the scoreboard more often.
