Interview with Rick Kennedy

[ledge]

Thank you for asking Desipura.
Yes, the lump is still there. This is my understanding, please remember I am just an old full back.
There are 3 sheaths of muscle down the top part of your leg. I tore the large one down the front of my thigh late in a game against Essendon at Windy Hill. I attempted to train the following Thursday against doctors & physios suggestion and ended tearing the sheath severing it from where it joined at the top of my knee. The following week, we just bandage the thigh as tightly as we good, so that I could still run (in some sort of fashion, speed was never my strength) and what ended up happening was that the sheath started to roll up my leg. I probably should of had it operated on at the time, however we thought I could cope until the end of the season. When the end of the season come around, it was agreed not to operate, for there would only be a minor benefit, but could cause a whole range of other issues. In hindsight, that was probably not a good decision, for it affected what speed I did have and my kicking power. I hope that helps. Kind regards
Rick Kennedy

Just wondering is it still there or did it repair itself, or did you finally have an operation?

[Desipura]

Hey Rick, my brother tells me in your younger days you used to go with a greek guy from West Sunshine named Chris. He is best mates with my cousin, do you still keep in contact with Chris? Im assuming you know who I am talking about.

[gohardorgohome]

I loved watching Tits go around. He was really one of the only players that took it up to plugger. I'd be curious whos idea it was to have kick outs after a behind go straight to Douggy Hawkins.

If the ever did stats on that there would have been hundreds of time Tits kicked it out to the out wing to Hawk who would take a one handed mark and kick it straight to a team mate.

I have a gut feeling that Rick spent a bit of time working with Rudi Webster trying to channell his agression. Rudi Webster was a sports psychologist who worked with West Indies Cricket Team, Richmond Carlton and Essendon in their successful periods in the 80s. Rick would be a great guy to work with Will Minson to help him stop giving away silly frees, but still scare the crap out of opponents.

I have always regarded Tits as being our best full back since I started watching the dogs in 1975, but I now think that Brain Lake has just pipped him. Both very good players.

[Twodogs]

Ha, I remember that as a kid, the crowd kept yelling for Tits to get a go; think we weren't playing with much spark at the time so Rick took it upon himself to show the kids how things were done

Had number 8 on my jumper as a youngster, however as a toddler I got mixed up and used to call him "Rickedy Kennedy" (gimme a break, I was still learning to talk). I yelled it out at training once and everyone cracked up.

I think I remember that. Was it a training session during the '85 finals?

[Twodogs]

Hi Coon Dog,
A teammate by the name of Terry DeKoning gave it too me. There were a group of us that use to work out together and he believed that my chest was larger than my girlfriends, Janine whom I married. I am sure you can appreciate, it was probably a nickname that should of stayed on the football field.

Sorry Tits but I cant agree. That nickname of yours is a cherished part of Bulldog folklore and the World is a far, far better place for all of us knowing about it.


You blokes who didnt see Rick play missed a great player. Tough as teak, took thumps and coat hangers and ankle taps but always got up. Judge, jury and executioner if any violence was perpetrated to our fellas, Leigh Matthews always behaved himself when Rick was around.

Rick also had the best mad stare in VFL/AFL history based on an amazing ability to almost project his eyeballs totally out of their sockets. That stare could kill a man from 30 paces.


Desipura used Lockett in reverse as an analogy and it's a good one. Think Brian Lake then remember that there's one less umpire and about 3500 less film cameras to worry about. No video reviews. All Brian has to worry about is making sure the umpire doesnt see him see him hand it out and he's sweet. If the umpire didnt report you, you were playing next week. Think how much Brian would enjoy that.



Can I ask you a question about Peter Foster please Rick? Did he have any conception at all what the words 'danger' and 'protect yourself' meant? You and him in the key defensive posts was what we could have built a premiership around.

[Twodogs]

Watch out Lethal, you're hot.

[LostDoggy]

Tits!!!

The man who epitomised what the red white and blue stands for.

Tough, uncomprimising, hard as a steam train and a bloke who absolutely hated having a single goal kicked on him..
'
God it was great watching this bloke run around. Along with Steve Wallis and Chris Grant, my favourite bulldogs of all time.

The way he used to protect his team mates was something that made me so proud watching him as a young kid. Watch a fantastic footballer and an even better club man.

TCD, If you ever have a chance to interview Steve Wallis, I'll be your slave for a month!!!

[bornadog]

Thank you for asking Desipura.
Yes, the lump is still there. This is my understanding, please remember I am just an old full back.
There are 3 sheaths of muscle down the top part of your leg. I tore the large one down the front of my thigh late in a game against Essendon at Windy Hill. I attempted to train the following Thursday against doctors & physios suggestion and ended tearing the sheath severing it from where it joined at the top of my knee. The following week, we just bandage the thigh as tightly as we good, so that I could still run (in some sort of fashion, speed was never my strength) and what ended up happening was that the sheath started to roll up my leg. I probably should of had it operated on at the time, however we thought I could cope until the end of the season. When the end of the season come around, it was agreed not to operate, for there would only be a minor benefit, but could cause a whole range of other issues. In hindsight, that was probably not a good decision, for it affected what speed I did have and my kicking power. I hope that helps. Kind regards
Rick Kennedy

You didn't need speed Rick, when you ran they all jumped out of the way

[GetDimmaBack]

Saw a lot of Rick in the 80s, therest of the side walked pretty tall when he was around.
A lot of opposition guys seemed to like pretending they weren't out there!
Loved the anticipation when the ball came down back, you just knew something was going to happen.
Rick, what went wrong in the 85 Prelim - and why didn't you put Matthews away early in the last quarter?
I reckon we had Essendon on toast that year...

[JimmySewell]

does anyone remember in ricks later years how he had that bulge on his knee? - like fluid on the knee or something

i still remember that as a kid !

Jim Sewell

[Desipura]

does anyone remember in ricks later years how he had that bulge on his knee? - like fluid on the knee or something

i still remember that as a kid !

Jim Sewell

Jimmy, I have already asked Rick about this, refer to previous posts

[JimmySewell]

sorry ! didnt read all the posts

i have now

thanks for that !

Jim

[1eyedog]

Watch out Lethal, you're hot.

damn straight you little wimp

[The Dogs Bollocks]

Great read

[LostDoggy]

His speech in 'the year of the Dogs' is pure David Brent comedy! inspiring but makes u cringe a bit