Wed Sep 18 02:21:35 UTC 2024: ## Carlton Midfielder Matt Kennedy Given Permission to Seek New Club Despite Strong Desire to Stay
Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy, who endured a tumultuous week culminating in a controversial substitution during the Blues’ finals loss to Brisbane, has been given permission by the club to explore other options.
Kennedy, 27, was tactically subbed out before halftime of the elimination final, a move that sparked debate among fans. He had flown to Brisbane just two days after his wife gave birth to their first child, having himself been hospitalized earlier in the week due to illness.
Despite the challenging circumstances and his visible frustration at being replaced, Kennedy’s manager David Trotter has confirmed that he is happy at Carlton and likely to stay. However, the club, acknowledging Kennedy’s desire to play as an inside midfielder, has given him the green light to consider other Victorian clubs that might offer him a more suitable role.
“The club just had an honest chat, saying mate, if you had an opportunity where – and it’d be a club in Victoria, with a young family – that had a role for you and you thought that was what you wanted to do, then go for it,” Trotter explained.
Kennedy is one of three Carlton players who have been given permission to seek new clubs, alongside Lewis Young and Matt Owies. While Kennedy and his manager have not actively sought alternative options, they would discuss any potential opportunities with the Blues.
Meanwhile, Carlton are actively seeking to bolster their squad. They are reportedly in the running to secure GWS Giants defender Nick Haynes as a free agent and are also interested in Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston. The club has already delisted five players, with former high-priced recruit Jack Martin being linked with a move to Geelong.
First Piper 