MATT KENNEDY admits he's put too much pressure on himself to succeed in the past.
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But a focus on stepping away from the football cocoon and 'finding his purpose' has helped the Collingullie product find career best form as he closes in on securing another year at Carlton.
Despite being off contract and starting the year in the VFL, the 24-year-old made a pact to simply enjoy his football and it translated into a stellar back half of the season for the Blues.
Playing more football in his preferred inside midfielder role after being blooded at the elite level up forward, Kennedy averaged over 22 disposals and five tackles a game after breaking into the side for good in round 14.
Although the Blues are searching for a new coach after the sacking of David Teague, Kennedy is confident he will remain at the club on a one-year rookie deal for the second straight season.
"That's probably most likely at the minute, I had a sit down with the club to try and sort out a deal," he said.
"It's hard to know 100 per cent (with a new coach coming in), but I'm pretty confident in the next few weeks or so I can sign a contract and get another year. Hopefully sooner rather than later will be nice."
Kennedy said being able to compartmentalise football from the rest of his life had helped unlock his potential.
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"Our psychologist (club psychologist Tarah Kavanagh) is really good at helping you find a purpose in life that's more than just football," Kennedy said.
"That's probably when I started playing my best football, knowing that it's not everything. I tried to enjoy every little part of footy, whether it be training or meetings or game day.
"I probably put so much pressure on myself to succeed, but now that I've found that purpose it doesn't faze me. There's a lot of great things outside football I'm excited about, coming back and working on the farm at home and being closer to family.
"That's probably helped me not put as much pressure on myself to play well. Early in the year I was enjoying playing footy in the VFL and made a lot of great friends, and when I got my chance I tried to make the most of it."
Kennedy has played 61 games in six seasons since his debut as a 19-year-old at the Giants in 2016, and his strong finish to 21 has given him plenty of self belief before his fifth year at Carlton.
"That was the biggest thing for me, I've never had that consistent run of games at the top level," he said.
"Playing week to week I feel comfortable with my role, knowing that's my physical presence and applying pressure.
"That simplified it for me rather than trying to do too much, and that really built my confidence.
"It's an important year coming up for my career in general, I'll be working hard in the off season to keep fit and give myself the best chance to have a really strong year.
"It would be nice to (find a midfield spot), that's the goal, but I've still got to be versatile to play forward and on the wing.
"For me the goal now is to get fitter and stronger, I want to get into pre season and compete hard at everything."
Kennedy said the players have made taking more control over their standards a big factor as the Blues embark on a new era.
"To be honest as players something we've already started to try and do is take a bit more ownership in our standards," he said.
"At the end of the day we're the ones who go out there to play, and have to perform. I think you'll see it will be a bit more of player driven thing."
Kennedy said his girlfriend and being housemates with fellow midfielders Paddy Dow and Sam Walsh have kept him in a good mindset during the COVID period, but hopes to visit home soon.
"I had a fairly good break before this season, spending a lot of time on the family farm and around friends. Mentally that was really refreshing," he said.
"I'm going to have to find ways to do that and hopefully I can still get back home at some stage, that's really important to me.
Just being on the farm and living on the land I really enjoy."
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