Player Watch #29 Tanya Kennedy

[SwansProudly]

Kennedy comes into the squad following loss of Maddy Collier and Hayley Bullas who were both ruled out of the season with ACL injuries.

The 30-year-old from Donegal, Ireland, grew up watching and playing Gaelic football before moving to Australia in 2012.

Executive GM of Football – AFLW, Kate Mahony, is excited to welcome the promising defender to the red and white.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tanya to the Bloods family,” says Mahony.

“Tanya first caught the eye of our Teams Defence Coach, and fellow Irishman, Colin O’Riordan playing Gaelic football in Sydney. An impressive performance in a handful of off-season AFLW games proved she has what it takes to play at the elite level.

“Tanya’s athleticism is second to none. She is a passionate competitor and has proven to possess a hard-work ethic. We look forward to seeing her develop in the red and white.”

After playing with Gaelic football club Clanna Gael Sydney, Kennedy tried her hand at Aussie rules, joining the Inner West Magpies for a season.

 

[Callipygian]

She sounds like a beast! And I love that Colin O'Riordan

38

Colin O'riordan

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

6.3

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

190.1

3star

D

8.5

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

4.5

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.5

2star

MG

98.5

2star

D

15.8

4star

K

8.2

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.4

4star

MG

267.8

5star

has had a hand in her recruitment.

 

[SwansProudly]

Away from the field, she’s trading the footy boots for the fluoro’s, as she puts in the hours as a traffic controller on the streets of Sydney.
“It takes up a lot of time. It’s pretty tough, the hours are massive, you’re on your feet all day. It’s not an ideal job for an athlete. It’s tough work.”

From fluoro’s to footy, the resilience of rising defender Tanya Kennedy.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a player more determined than the 30-year-old around the club, who is grabbing her first season in the red and white with both hands.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[SwansProudly]

A stellar first year for Tanya Kennedy was was rewarded tonight, finishing 3rd in the Best First Year Player at the @AFLPlayers awards tonight

 

[Kiama Chris]

Holy heck! Who finished first and second?
Edit: Just realised it was the AFLW, not the club. Wow!