HE has tasted success in the SG Ball and Holden Cup competitions. but now William Kennedy shapes as a crucial figure for the Newtown Jets as they hunt for glory in the Intrust Super Premiership.
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After cutting his teeth in the junior grades at Cronulla, this season Bathurst native Kennedy has starred at fullback in the NSW Rugby League’s premier open-age competition for the Jets.
The Jets, a Sharks feeder club, have benefited greatly from his attacking prowess, Kennedy having scored 11 tries so far this season and assisted in 13 others. He also averages more than 94 running metres per match.
Hist most recent try was one of his best, running 80 metres down the left wing and beating three defenders. That came in last Saturday’s final round 32-12 victory over the Magpies which cemented the Jets’ second place.
“With speed and good skill, Kennedy is the prototype of the modern fullback, a player who can run the ball, but who can also chime in and provide attacking opportunity for those around him,” the Sharks website says of the natural talent.
Kennedy and his Jets now face St George Illawarra in this Sunday’s qualifying final. The head-to-head stands at one-apiece, but the Dragons are in good touch with four wins from their last five games.
“This team has got some footy in them, if we can hold the ball we’re a real crack at the back end of this year,” Jets coach Greg Matterson said. “There’s some real good footy in some of these young blokes, it’s a good mix at the moment so hopefully we can keep improving.”
Sunday’s qualifying final will kick off at 1.45pm at Panthers Stadium.
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Meanwhile, fellow Bathurst talent Adam Fearnley has been named on the bench for the Penrith Panthers’ Jersey Flegg side which will play Cronulla in the qualifying final.
Fearnley’s Panthers finished the regular season in third, having won 14 of their 24 games – one less than the Sharks.
The only prior meeting between the pair was a tight-fought contest. Fearnley was co-captain on that afternoon in July when the Sharks scrapped home to beat his side 25-24.
The game will kick-off at 3.15pm Saturday at Panthers Stadium.
