Jay Kennedy Harris

Kennedy Harris was born to Heather Kennedy and Edgar Harris and grew up in Endeavour Hills, Victoria{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/small-forward-jay-kennedyharriss-road-towards-afl-dream-hasnt-all-been-smooth-sailing/story-fni5f22o-1226756412633|title=Small forward Jay Kennedy Harris's road towards AFL dream hasn't all been smooth sailing|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=9 November 2013|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=17 November 2016}} He is of indigenous descent (Gugu-Badhun and Yidiny) of far north Queensland.[https://nacchocommunique.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/aflpa-indigenous-player-map-2017.pdf AFLPA Indigenous Player Map 2017] Attending St John's Regional College before moving to Trinity Grammar for year nine in 2009 as a boarder.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-25/kennedyharris-tac-cup|title=Kennedy-Harris thriving in Metro-land|first=Callum|last=Twomey|date=25 June 2013|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=4 April 2014}} He was encouraged by schoolmate and eventual {{AFL NM}} player, Luke McDonald to join the Kew Comets Junior Football Club before he joined the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup as a bottom-aged player in 2012 where he was a part of their premiership winning side.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jackson-macrae-the-hero-as-oakleigh-win-tac-cup-premiership/story-fnelctok-1226479739159|title=Jackson Macrae the hero as Oakleigh win TAC Cup premiership|date=22 September 2012|work=News.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=17 November 2016}} After graduating from school in 2012 and commencing a science degree at the University of Melbourne in 2013,{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-draft-hopeful-jay-kennedyharris-is-waiting-for-a-leading-onfield-role-20131112-2xeha.html|title=AFL draft hopeful Jay Kennedy Harris is waiting for a leading on-field role|last=Quayle|first=Emma|author-link=Emma Quayle|date=13 November 2013|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=4 April 2014}} he entered his draft year as the co-captain of the Oakleigh Chargers, becoming the first indigenous player to captain a TAC Cup side.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/jay-kennedyharris|title=2013 draft prospect: Jay Kennedy-Harris|date=20 October 2013|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He played twelve matches for the season and was named on the interchange bench in the TAC Cup team of the year.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3020-0-0-0&sID=69677&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=25406377|title=TAC Cup Team of the Year|year=2013|work=TACcup.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=17 November 2016}} He received mid-year state honours when he represented Vic Metro at the 2013 AFL Under 18 Championships.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=0-3020-0-0-0&sID=69677&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=23731393|title=Victorian selection for Kennedy-Harris|date=22 May 2013|work=TACcup.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=17 November 2016}} After his performances in the TAC Cup and under 18 championships where he played as both a small forward and midfielder,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/champion-data-picks-the-top-30-draft-prospects-of-2013/story-fni5f22o-1226759925435|title=Champion Data picks the top 30 draft prospects of 2013|last=Clark|first=Jay|last2=Landsberger|first2=Sam|date=18 November 2013|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=17 November 2016}} he was compared to {{AFL PA}} small forward, Jake Neade and then-{{AFL Gee}} player, Mathew Stokes, and it was predicted he would be drafted inside the top thirty in the 2013 AFL draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-03/18-days-to-the-draft-meet-jay-kennedyharris|title=18 days to the draft: Meet gun prospect Jay Kennedy-Harris|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=3 November 2013|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}}

File:Jay Kennedy-Harris (18.02.17).jpg

Kennedy Harris was drafted by the Melbourne Football Club with their second selection and fortieth overall in the 2013 national draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-21/melbournes-draft-haul-recruiters-verdict|title=Melbourne's draft haul: recruiter's verdict|date=21 November 2013|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} His first match in Melbourne colours was in Melbourne's first match of the 2014 NAB Challenge against {{AFL Ric}} at Etihad Stadium, he kicked three final quarter goals to secure Melbourne an unexpected victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-draftee-jay-kennedyharris-kicked-three-goals-as-the-demons-shocked-richmond/story-fni5f9jb-1226827470647|title=Melbourne draftee Jay Kennedy Harris kicked three goals as the Demons shocked Richmond|last=Ralph|first=Jon|last2=Matthews|first2=Bruce|date=14 February 2014|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=17 November 2016}} He was praised during the match by AFL Media journalist, Jennifer Phelan, by stating he "demanded attention every time he went near the ball with his speed, courage and creativity."{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-14/match-report-tigers-v-demons|title=The Roos revolution: Demons start with a win|last=Phelan|first=Jennifer|date=14 February 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} His performances in the pre-season earned him a round one debut in the seventeen point loss against {{AFL StK}} at Etihad Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-cocaptain-nathan-jones-says-jay-kennedyharris-and-alex-georgiou-likely-to-join-experienced-core-in-round-1/story-fni5f91a-1226859984847|title=Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones says Jay Kennedy Harris and Alex Georgiou likely to join experienced core in Round 1|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=20 March 2014|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=10 September 2014}} He played the first eleven matches for the season before he was omitted for the round thirteen match against {{AFL Ess}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/round-13-teams-carlton-regains-chris-judd-while-north-melbourne-adds-lindsay-thomas-and-robbie-tarrant/story-fni5f5nx-1226952184733|title=Round 13 teams: Carlton regains Chris Judd while North Melbourne adds Lindsay Thomas and Robbie Tarrant|last=Gardiner|first=Gilbert|date=13 June 2014|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=17 November 2016}} He spent the next month in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for Melbourne's affiliate team, the Casey Scorpions, before being recalled to the senior side for the three point loss against {{AFL PA}} at Adelaide Oval in round eighteen.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-07-17/dees-add-four-to-squad-for-pa-clash|title=Blease, JKH named in final 22|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=17 July 2014|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He played the next two matches before being dropped for the round twenty-one match against {{AFL GWS}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and missed the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/2014-round-21-afl-teams-20140814-3dpfs.html|title=2014 round 21 AFL teams|date=15 August 2014|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=17 November 2016}} He managed fourteen games in his debut season — starting as the substitute in six games — and kicked nine goals.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-16/jay-kennedyharris-signs-new-deal|title=Jay Kennedy-Harris signs new deal with Demons|last=Gutrhie|first=Ben|date=16 February 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}}

On the eve of the 2015 season, Kennedy Harris signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of the 2017 season,{{cite news|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/2/jay-kennedy-harris-re-signs-with-melbourne-for-a-further-two-years/|title=Two More Years For Kennedy-Harris|date=17 February 2015|work=Triple M|access-date=17 November 2016}} and played for the Indigenous All-Stars in the nine point loss against {{AFL WC}} at Leederville Oval.{{cite news|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/2/2015-indigenous-all-stars-team/|title=2015 Indigenous All Stars Team|date=19 February 2015|work=Triple M|access-date=17 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221131140/http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/2/2015-indigenous-all-stars-team/|archive-date=21 February 2015|df=dmy-all}} After the recruitment of {{AFL Car}} small forward, Jeff Garlett, Kennedy Harris struggled to maintain a spot in the senior side.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-03-06/jkh-eager-to-build-potent-attack|title=JKH eager to build potent attack|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=6 March 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He played in the opening round win against {{AFL GC}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, before he was omitted for the round two match against {{AFL GWS}} at StarTrack Oval.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-04-09/dawes-and-vince-return-for-round-two|title=Dawes and Vince return for round two|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=9 April 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He returned the next week for the twenty-five point loss against {{AFL Ade}} at Adelaide Oval, replacing the injured Jack Viney.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-04-16/jkh-returns-for-injured-viney|title=JKH returns for injured Viney|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=16 April 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He played every match until the round seven match against {{AFL Haw}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to a groin injury.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-christian-salem-out-for-a-month-jesse-hogan-set-to-return-20150520-gh5m5v.html|title=Demons' Christian Salem out for a month, Jesse Hogan set to return|date=20 May 2015|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=17 November 2016}} He missed the next month of football, before returning from injury through the VFL Development League.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-18/jkh-thankful-to-play-rather-than-train|title=JKH thankful to play, rather than train|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=18 June 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He played three AFL matches in the second half of the season to finish with eight matches in total.

The 2016 season saw Kennedy Harris suffer from a hamstring injury on three separate occasions, he first injured it during the pre-season and the second time during the opening match of the VFL season against {{VFL Fra}} at Casey Fields.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-06-01/jkh-ready-to-hit-ground-running|title=JKH ready to hit ground running|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=1 June 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He returned to play in the VFL in June, before he was ruled out for the next four to six weeks when he injured his hamstring for the third time during the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-17/demons-forward-jay-kennedyharris-hamstrung-again|title=Clever Demons forward hamstrung yet again|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=17 June 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=17 November 2016}} He managed to return to the VFL for the end of the season, playing four matches in August.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=194655947&client=1-118-10449-392693-8069487&ocompID=392693|title=Jay Kennedy-Harris–Player Profile|work=VFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=17 November 2016}} His injury interrupted season meant he did not play a senior AFL match for the year.

:Statistics are correct to the end of the 2019 season{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jay_Kennedy-Harris.html|title=Jay Kennedy Harris|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=9 June 2014}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2014

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 14 || 9 || 6 || 75 || 65 || 140 || 30 || 27 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 5.4 || 4.6 || 10.0 || 2.1 || 1.9

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2015

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 8 || 2 || 3 || 40 || 33 || 73 || 22 || 14 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 5.0 || 4.1 || 9.1 || 2.8 || 1.8

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2016

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2017

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 6 || 0 || 1 || 45 || 51 || 96 || 18 || 23 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 7.5 || 8.5 || 16.0 || 3.0 || 3.8

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 6 || 1 || 4 || 42 || 46 || 88 || 17 || 28 || 0.2 || 0.7 || 7.0 || 7.7 || 14.7 || 2.8 || 4.7

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|{{AFL Mel}}

| 24 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 48 || 37 || 85 || 23 || 11 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 9.6 || 7.4 || 17.0 || 4.6 || 2.2

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 39

! 12

! 14

! 250

! 232

! 482

! 110

! 103

! 0.3

! 0.4

! 6.4

! 5.9

! 12.4

! 2.8

! 2.6

|}

Before being recruited into the AFL, Kennedy Harris had a regular role in the 2010 ABC1 TV show, Dead Gorgeous, starring in all 13 episodes as Charlie. He has also been in an episode of Neighbours, credited as Cub Scout No. 2, and was in the film, Blessed, as Young Jimmy. Kennedy Harris was also in a protective services officers recruitment campaign commercial by Victoria Police.

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commonscat}}

• {{Melbplayer| link = jay-kennedyharris}}
• {{AFL Tables|ref=J/Jay_Kennedy_Harris.html}}
• {{Twitter|id=kennedyharrisj}}
• [http://demonwiki.org/tiki-index.php?page=Jay+Kennedy-Harris Jay Kennedy Harris' profile] from Demonwiki
• {{IMDb name|3467119}}

{{2015 Indigenous All-Stars squad}}

{{2013 AFL national draft}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy Harris, Jay}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Oakleigh Chargers players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Melbourne

Category:Melbourne Football Club players

Category:Casey Demons players

Category:People educated at Trinity Grammar School, Kew

Category:Indigenous Australian players of Australian rules football

Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people

Category:Australian male television actors

Category:People from the City of Casey

Category:21st-century Australian male actors

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen