Francis Michael Kennedy (31 July 1920 – 27 December 1990) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

Frank Kennedy
Personal information
Full name Francis Michael Kennedy
Date of birth (1920-07-31)31 July 1920
Place of birth Vervale, via Garfield, Victoria
Date of death 27 December 1990(1990-12-27) (aged 70)
Place of death Garfield, Victoria
Original team(s) Garfield
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 82 kg (181 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1944–47 Melbourne 36 (11)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Family

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The son of Michael Francis Kennedy (1890-1971), and Ann Maree Kennedy (1892-1977), née Maher, Francis Michael Kennedy was born at Vervale, Victoria on 31 July 1920.

He married Agnes May Stout (1920-1989) in 1946.

Football

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Kennedy's first contact with the Melbourne Football Club was on 2 April 1940, 1940, when -- described as a "new man" from "Vervale, Gippsland"[2] -- he took part in the team's training.

In 1944, he was listed as a "new" player -- from the Melbourne Seconds -- in Melbourne's final training list for the 1944 season,[3] and made his debut for Melbourne's First XVIII against Richmond, at Punt Road, on 6 May 1944,[4] and was considered to be Melbourne's best player (in a losing team).[5]

"Frank Kennedy, from Garfield, was not so conspicuous against Essendon [in round 3, on 4 May 1946], but was one of Melbourne's best the previous week [viz., round 2, on 27 April 1946, his first senior match in the 1946 season] at Carlton.
Playing on a half-forward flank, his leading-out, and general approach to the ball, were features. His present form should keep him in the side." -- "Clubman", 8 May 1946.[6]

Kennedy was a reserve in Melbourne's losing 1946 VFL Grand Final team. He came onto the field in the final quarter, and was reported for striking and suspended for four matches.[7][8]

Military service

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He served in the Australian Army in World War II from July 1943 to February 1945.[9]

Death

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He died at Garfield, Victoria on 27 December 1990.

Notes

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  1. ^ Holmesby & Main (2009), p.445.
  2. ^ Regulars Return to Melbourne, The Argus, (Wednesday, 3 April 1940), p.17.
  3. ^ Melbourne's Final List, The Argus, (Wednesday, 3 May 1944), p.11.
  4. ^ v. Richmond, The Age, (Friday, 5 May 1944), p.4.
  5. ^ Richmond's System, The Age, (Monday, 8 May 1944), p.4.
  6. ^ The Weekly Times, (Saturday, 8 May 1946), p.32.
  7. ^ Percy Bentley (7 October 1946). "Essendon take honours in VFL". The Argus. Melbourne, VIC. p. 13.
  8. ^ "Grand final incident: Kennedy out for four weeks". The Age. Melbourne, VIC. 11 October 1946. p. 7.
  9. ^ Taylor, Percy, "Melbourne are Proud of their Great War Record", The Australasian, (Saturday, 24 June 1944), p.23.

References

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