BEN Kennedy says he feels “really grateful” that the club rated him highly as a junior – even before he was originally drafted by Collingwood – as he now has the belief to make it with Melbourne.   

Kennedy, who crossed from Collingwood at the end of last season, said Melbourne had given him the faith he needed to make it at the highest level. 

“I was in and out of the team [at Collingwood] and a bit inconsistent and I looked for more opportunity. Melbourne had spoken to me [as a junior] and seemed to rate me pretty highly, so I was pretty interested to get over here,” he told Melbourne TV.

“I’ve been pretty happy with the move so far and sometimes it’s a bit awkward because I still live with a Collingwood player, Adam Oxley, which is a bit of a conflict of interest, but we don’t talk about footy that often. I love it [being at Melbourne].

“Even throughout my career at Collingwood, I battled some on field Demons and confidence issues, but coming across that was one of the things Melbourne assured me – they rated me from the start.”

Kennedy said his competitiveness and hunger for the contest were his best attributes.

Meanwhile, Kennedy said he was a keen skateboarder when growing up and had to make a decision whether to stick with it or pursue football.

“I had to choose one or the other – skateboarding or football,” he said.

“I chose football and got to the level where you can’t do both, because they’re both so physically demanding.

“Now, I get tattoos on my day off. I’ve been getting them on my day off – something added every week, so that’s been keeping my mind off things. I’ll do both arms and both legs eventually.”

Away from the game, Kennedy said he was focusing on studying.

“I was a brick paver and landscaper before I got drafted, but I think my back will have had it by the time I finish footy,” he said.

“I’m doing a business course and management course as well, so hopefully I can get into that side of things.”