And Collingullie-Glenfield Park product Matt Kennedy has every intention of proving the new Carlton coach correct as he looks to build on a fine finish to 2021 with the Blues.

The 24-year-old and fellow Demons product, GWS star Harry Perryman were back at their junior club to mingle with the locals this week. Perryman's girlfriend, Giants and Australia netballer Jamie-Lee Price, also came along for the ride.

Kennedy, who signed a one-year deal in September to remain at the Blues for a fifth season, averaged over 22 disposals and five tackles a game after breaking into Carlton's side for good in round 14.

He thrived on spending more time in the midfield, and is looking forward to being mentored by one of the greatest midfielders the game has seen.

"That's where I see myself playing my best footy (midfield). With the chats I had with Vossy, that's where he sees me playing," Kennedy said at a juniors meet and greet session at South City Shopping Centre on Sunday.

"It's great we both agree with that, now it's up to me I guess to put in the hard yards and get selected.

"We've spoken on the phone. Just from our brief conversation he seems like a really easy going bloke, and I think he'll be good for us.

"We'll buy into his message and he's won premierships, you have to trust he knows how to win.

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"I suppose it does (give you confidence he views me as a midfielder). I've always idolised Vossy with how tough he was and how he went about it.

"He was so good at the contest and that's what I pride myself in. It's about me being tough in the contest and getting back to basics, and hopefully he'll reward that."

Perryman this week signed a two-year extension with the Giants until the end of 2024 but Kennedy, who has played 61 games since debuting with GWS in 2017, said he won't be putting any pressure on himself to earn a similar deal.

"It would be nice but at the end of the day I'm not too worried," he said.

I'm just trying to simplify things and enjoy my footy.

"If I get another year or two I'd be happy but if it was to end there's a lot to work forward to, like coming home to the family farm and what not.

"When you're trying to do too much you end up half doing everything. For me it was simplifying things, knowing what my strengths are and and enjoying my footy.

"That's being hard at the contest and going back to how I played in the juniors and getting after the ball.

Since I've been doing that I've definitely enjoyed my footy a lot more and things started to happen for me."

Kennedy added being flatmates with superstar Blues midfielder Sam Walsh, as well as fellow youngster Paddy Dow, had given him a close up view of what it takes to produce your best.

"With his professionalism, he (Walsh) does everything right. He has a good life balance though, it's not too much footy.," Kennedy said.

"But in terms of recovery and diet and doing the extra touch sessions, it's something I've definitely noticed how above and beyond he goes."

Kennedy said he's always happy to help out his junior club when back in town.

"I can still remember a couple of Hawthorn players coming to junior training (when I was a kid), it was awesome to have an AFL player there in the flesh,:" he said.

"It's a weird and humbling feeling to have the same impact. They've done so much for our career."

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