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.
3. St Kilda
It seems St Kilda will be successful in their pursuit of Jack Macrae, with the 30-year-old opting for Moorabbin as his landing spot of choice.
But with veteran on ballers Seb Ross and potentially Brad Crouch being shown the door, there is room for more midfield depth at St Kilda.
The club would hope to field a starting three of Jack Steele, Jack Macrae and Mattaes Phillipou for Round one of 2025, while Marcus Windhager, Paddy Dow and Hugo Garcia wait on the wings.
Kennedy would provide a healthy competition for spots, and a mature body for Ross Lyon to deploy against the stronger midfield brigades of the competition.
