Star joins coach in Inverleigh exit

STAR forward Jak KennedyHunt has voiced frustration at the circumstances surrounding Mark McDowell’s exit at Inverleigh, declaring he will remain loyal to the coach.

Kennedy-Hunt, who has been linked with three other GDFL clubs, believes McDowell has been unfairly blamed for the shock grand final loss to Thomson.

“It is what it is, Mark has been like a father figure to me and he’s been like a father figure to me since the day that I met him,” he said.

“At times like these I think some people should put their hand up and take some responsibility for their own performance rather than throwing somebody else under the bus.

“We’ll wait and see if the decision they (Inverleigh) have made has paid off.”

The 2017 Whitley medallist confirmed he would follow McDowell out the door.

“It’s hard to leave the club because of all the friendships, but at the end of the day I’m a loyal person to Mark because he’s been a father figure to me,” he said.

McDowell guided the Hawks to five successive finals series since crossing from Corio at the end of 2013.

Kennedy-Hunt remained tight-lipped on whether he would go to a third GDFL club or explore options.

“Last year there were greater offers and job opportunities but I put them aside because I believed in Mark and what we were capable as a club,” he said.

Inverleigh joins Bell Post Hill and North Geelong in search of a senior coach for next season.