Day by day, we take an in-depth look at every member of the 2016 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team Of The Year. Today it's one of Mounties' elder statesmen: Jarrad Kennedy.
Heading up the exceptional second row of Mounties - arguably the most effective in the competition - Jarrad Kennedy cemented himself as a workhorse this season.
Kennedy started his year in exceptional form, leading to selections in the Team Of The Week in the opening three rounds. It became apparent very quickly that Mounties would be the team to beat in 2016 and even in a forward pack boasting the likes of Glen Buttriss, Clay Priest, brother Rhys Kennedy and Mitch Barnett (who has since transferred to the Knights), Kennedy was a standout.
Often involved in a deadly right-edge that saw winger Kato Ottio score a competition-high 28 tries, Kennedy notched up 12 of his own in his 24 games. He managed a double in two consecutive games in Rounds 7 and 9, typically hitting the edge hard and fast to bring about try scoring opportunities.
A tally of 773 tackles - second in the competition - and a club-high 223 hit-ups confirm Kennedy as a key part of Mounties' side this year. With abilities in attack and defence that are obviously up to NRL standard, it is almost a shame that Kennedy wasn't required by the Raiders in 2016, but having taken his side to the grand final he will hope to go one better next season.
