It’s a moment that will go down in Eagles’ history, a coast to coast play in the final minutes that snatched an unforgettable victory over the reigning premier.
Ignited by superboot Shannon Hurn, the ball was sent down the line in quick succession, in a passage reminiscent of the 2018 Grand Final chain that ended with Dom Sheed’s famous goal.
Liam Ryan’s kick to Josh Kennedy hit him just inches above the turf, before the key forward snapped truly around his body and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Coach Adam Simpson later revealing out of any spot on the ground for Kennedy ‘that’s probably the spot I reckon he’d like to take it’, given it is the exact position where players routinely take their last shot at goal before leaving the training track.
“It was something that I’ll never forget,” Kennedy told 6PR.
“Obviously the crowd was up and about, it was pretty loud but credit to the boys up the field to be able to transition the footy like they did.”
“They gave us an opportunity to have a shot, so it was those boys up there, especially Shannon Hurn taking those marks, it really saved us in the end.
“We had a few free players so I was hoping the boys could transition it down, there was me, I think Jack (Darling) was near us as well, and ‘Oz’ (Oscar Allen) would’ve been floating around somewhere as well, so I knew one of us would’ve been the target inside 50.
“We were glad that Liam (Ryan) was able to win that contest and get the kick off.”
Kennedy’s celebration has now been labelled an ‘all-timer’, with the 33-year-old turning to the 50,000-strong crowd rallying behind him and pumping his arms in the air.
The Eagles’ forwards immediately mobbed Kennedy in merriment.
“I ‘spose in those moments you just don’t really know what to do, but the crowd was pretty loud, so it was pretty exciting and to have Liam and ‘Crippa’ (Jamie Cripps) run over straight away, a couple of Mid-West boys, it was quite special,” he said.
The side now head into a bye, before facing off against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in round 15.
“Exciting win, especially coming into a bye now, halfway through the year, the boys getting a bit of a rest and a break,” Kennedy said.
“Richmond being the team that they are, being able to take up the challenge, they’re the best team in the competition over the last four years, and we know that when they get challenged they really drop the hammer, and they’ve got some really quality players.
“So, for our group, missing a few guys, knowing that we were able to push in that last quarter, which has been an issue for us, is quite satisfying, so it’s exciting.
“We’ve got a few boys coming back after the break which is also exciting.
“Consistency has been a big thing for us this year that we haven’t been able to do, so hopefully this back end of this year we can get some consistency in our four-quarter efforts.”
