JOSH KENNEDY GIVES THE LEAD
Josh Kennedy is renowned for his commitment and courage on the football field. The Sydney Swans captain isn’t as adventurous off the field, describing himself as a reserved driver, largely because he’s regularly ferrying son Emilio around in the family Volkswagen Tiguan.
“I certainly wouldn’t call myself a motorhead,” Kennedy says. “I enjoy driving but it’s not a passion.
“A few of the boys are into it — James Rose is a young kid who loves his cars and Heath Grundy is big on his four-wheel drives.”
Kennedy says Swans coach John Longmire isn’t enamoured of vehicles.
“We got to do a track day at Eastern Creek a while ago and ‘Horse’ saw some footage of the boys hitting 220km/h and decided that was enough,” Kennedy says.
Kennedy grew up in Melbourne and says Sydney’s non-aligned streets are still a source of frustration.
“Melbourne streets are designed in a grid but in Sydney the streets are at weird angles — 20 degrees, 60 degrees, whatever. It makes trying to navigate a bit tricky so I rely on the satnav these days and in the Tiguan it’s really clear and up to date.”
Kennedy got his licence as soon as he was legally allowed — “You need it when you’re travelling to training” — but doesn’t have fond memories of the family car.
“I was driving a 1991 Nissan Patrol. It was a big, ugly creature on wheels and it ran on gas so it didn’t have much go at all.”
His first new car was a 2008 Hyundai Tucson, which he says “did the job”.
“I’ve never been into anything too flash — there’s too much stress about getting them damaged.
“I just want something to get around in and the Tiguan does that perfectly. It fits everything in and is easy to drive.
“I’ve usually got a bag in the back and then there’s all the stuff for (son) Emilio so it is just a smart, sensible car.
“Apple connectivity is an absolute gem in terms of keeping me company on the drives. I like the music and the access to the phone without having to do anything.
“The Tiguan just ticks every box in terms of driveability — it’s very practical.”
If money was no object Kennedy says he’d take style over speed.
“I’d probably go for a something like a Bentley — maybe even their new four-wheel drive Bentayga.”
It’s an apt choice given Kennedy, like the Bentayga, is ranked in the top echelon of his industry. The three-time Bob Skilton medallist as the Swans’ best and fairest is leading from the front and averaging 27 disposals a game so far this year, pushing Sydney near the top of the betting agencies’ premiership contenders in the process.