Altona did not have to wait until Christmas to have its wish granted.
The Vikings saw the need for another top line midfielder, and went and got their man.
It took months of negotiations, but the Vikings lured their own premiership star Steven Kennedy back to Sugar Gum Drive.
“To get him back to the club is a big signing for us,” Vikings’ coach Saade Ghazi said.
“We thought we needed another midfielder, and he gives us another key midfielder.
“He’s in the same age group as Jordy Robbins, etcetera,” Ghazi said.
Kennedy has signed on as a playing assistant coach.
In a role that fits like a glove, he will look after the midfield group.
Kennedy was a solid contributor for Altona in its 2012 premiership.
In the years since, he has undoubtedly taken his game to another level.
He won two club best-and-fairests and a competition medal with Darley in the Ballarat Football League.
That led to captaincy of the BFL team, which went down narrowly to the WRFL at the Whitten oval this year.
“He’s obviously a premier player,” Ghazi said. “He also played all of his juniors through Altona as well … [it’s] really crucial to be able to get someone like him back.
“He’s coming back for the right reasons; it’s his junior club.”
Altona is now targeting extra depth in its ruck and forward stocks. Josh Rafferty and Jayden Post will return, but they’ll need a bit of help.
The Vikings will recruit within their means, so don’t expect a blank cheque any time soon.
