Jim Stynes, who represented Melbourne in the 1980s and '90s, won a Brownlow Medal and is now chairman of the club, has labelled Kennelly's desire to return to Ireland "an admirable quality" – knowing how difficult it would be to walk away from a professional career.
"I've known that Tadhg's always had a dream to go back and play with Kerry and win an All-Ireland [title]," Stynes said. "I really think that lure of a flag would really complement his sporting career.
"He probably realises that his body is only going to be as healthy as it is for probably another two or three years. The window of opportunity is there now."
Stynes, who has kept in touch with Kennelly over the years, acknowledged that emulating the feats of his late father Tim – a decorated player for County Kerry in the late '70s – was likely motivation for the 27-year-old.
Kennelly has spoken regularly about his struggle with living away from family and friends and Stynes found himself in that position at stages of his career, too.
However, a potential return to Ireland posed too many risks for him financially.
"There was always the lure to go home," Stynes said. "I often felt at times I would love to have been able to go back and play with Dublin.
"My brother was playing with them. He won an All-Ireland during the time I was playing at Melbourne and, in the early '90s particularly, there was a big pull to go home.
"It was just hard because for me there weren't a lot of guarantees. I played in an era where the money that the guys are making now is a lot different to what it was back then. There wasn't as much opportunity for me if I went home. I wasn't established financially like the guys are today."
Stynes has five brothers and sisters who have moved to Australia, while his parents have shared time between both countries.
Establishing the Reach Foundation to support disadvantaged youth became another growing reason for Stynes to stay, feeling he had too much to achieve with the charity.
Though Stynes and fellow Demon Sean Wight were faces of the League's Irish experiment in the '80s, generational change has seen Kennelly become the example for Irish hopefuls pursuing an AFL career.
"People are able to actually see his progression [and] his successes," Stynes said. "He is the first Irishman to win a flag out here so it's been a big deal.
"These young kids I suppose in some way want to emulate Tadhg. They've seen him play on TV, they've seen him play for Ireland against Australia and they've watched him grow, develop, succeed and do well financially. It's made it easier for them to make the transition.
"I'm sure Sydney are a lot more disappointed than any other club because they're losing one of their prime movers and one of their best players."
