Sacrifice the key as Kennerley kicks on to 100 games

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood captain Jacob Kennerley thrives on sacrificing for the betterment of his team. 

And while he can’t ignore the spotlight this Sunday as he approaches his 100th Hostplus SANFL League match against the Eagles at The Parade, he would much rather continue playing his role with no fuss.

Redlegs fans would be quick to remember it was Matt ”King” Panos who kicked the dramatic winning goal with 30 seconds left in the 2022 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final.

But they may not recall who laid the all-important block to free up Panos at the boundary throw-in from the scoreboard pocket – Jacob Kennerley.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 25-year-old said he is beginning to appreciate the magical moment and for that matter, the club’s last flag, more as each year passess.

Now the skipper is more than happy to play second-fiddle to his fellow midfield stars such as Nik Rokahr and Baynen Lowe to ensure the job gets done.

Originally from the Cummins Ramblers Football Club on the Eyre Peninsula, Kennerley has fond memories starting his junior career with his close mates.

Playing two colts matches on a Saturday became commonplace while also running the boundary in the afternoon for the club’s A-grade team.

Such was Kennerley’s talent, his A-grade debut came at the tender age of just 14, when he managed to slot three goals in his first appearance at senior level.

Starting his journey with Norwood in the Under-15 Intrastate Carnival, Kennerley made the move to play in the Under-16s when he began boarding at Rostrevor College in 2016.

A member of South Australia’s championship-winning side at the 2018 AFL National Championships, Norwood’s No.11 was then drafted to Geelong later that year.

While he was unable to make his AFL debut during his two-year stint with the Cats due to their supreme list and the onset of Covid in 2020, the experience was a valuable one, on and off the field, for the man affectionately known as  ”JK”.