Young Kangaroo defender told he will be traded or delisted next month
DEFENDER Ayden Kennedy is hopeful of finding a new AFL home after being told by North Melbourne he is set to be delisted.
AFL.com.au understands Kennedy was told at his post-season review that if North couldn't broker a trade for him during October's trade period he would delisted.
Kennedy, 22 next month, has not played an AFL game in four seasons on North's list, but has enjoyed a strong 2013 season in the VFL with Werribee that he capped with an outstanding finals series.
Kennedy's manager, Nick Gieschen of Elite Sports Properties, told AFL.com.au on Thursday his client had attracted interest from opposition clubs.
"Ayden has all the tools to be an AFL player: he is a good size (192cm) and kicks the ball really well coming out of defence," Gieschen said.
"But North's back six has been pretty settled so it hasn't been an easy team to break into.
"But now that most of the clubs have finished, I've had a couple of inquiries about Ayden.
"It's still early days, but we're confident that Ayden will get a second chance. He's just really keen for another opportunity."
Kennedy was taken by North with pick No.41 in the 2009 national draft, one of two picks the Roos received in the trade that sent Josh Gibson to Hawthorn.
The other pick, No. 25, was used to select forward Aaron Black, who has just re-signed with the Roos to the end of 2017.
Kennedy's first two seasons at North were disrupted by injury, a foot stress fracture limiting him to four VFL games in 2010 and a ruptured right anterior cruciate ligament sidelining him for the entire 2011 season.
Drafted as a tall half-forward, Kennedy has spent nearly all of his time at North in defence.
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