Statement from AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh on the passing of John Kennedy Senior

“On behalf of the Board, members and staff of the AFL Players Association I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Kennedy family following the passing of Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend John Kennedy Snr at age 91.

John was a giant figure in our game, someone who inspired many and achieved great success along the way as a player, winning the Hawks’ best and fairest award on four occasions, and as a three-time premiership coach.

The connection he enjoyed with his players as a coach of Hawthorn, and later at North Melbourne, was one of legend, and his contribution to the game was immense.

John has been one of our game’s most recognisable figures and the legacy he and his family have left will continue to live on throughout the league and the game more broadly.

Vale to an AFL legend.”