In the past three seasons, the 24-year-old has won a premiership, enjoyed a hat-trick of top-three finishes in the Swans' best and fairest and been selected in the All Australian team.
And his standing in the game has been confirmed by the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, in which Kennedy sat at No. 9 after round four.
Kennedy ranks highly in several key categories that are considered when calculating a player's rating.
Champion Data's statistics show that since 2011 Kennedy has been first in the competition for contested possessions and clearances, third in forward half disposals, 10th in tackles and 13th in winning clearances that result in goals."He has clearance ability like no other," Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich told AFL.com.au.
The Official AFL Player Ratings will be launched on Thursday, May 9.
The ratings are the result of the most sophisticated, detailed and wide-ranging statistical system ever devised for AFL footy.
Official AFL Player ratings will allow fans to determine where more than 650 listed.
players rank against each other.
A player's most recent 40 matches are used in the calculation of his rating.
If you are keen to find out exactly how the ratings work, you can read the initial FAQ here.
In the meantime, we are counting down to launch with a series of exclusive videos in which the top-rated players are discussed and analysed by those with a unique insight into their genius – their opponents.
Kennedy is the second cab off the rank.
"I think what makes him so good is his understanding of how to work a stoppage," Adelaide star Scott Thompson said. "He has strong body position and owns the area he wants."
According to Brisbane Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown, Kennedy is "as good a contested footy player as there is".
Make sure you log onto AFL.com.au on Wednesday to find out which player is No. 8.
* The top 10 that we are counting down in the lead-up to the launch of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero, is how it stood after round four of this season.
