Matthew Kennedy hails from country New South Wales and began his AFL career at GWS, playing 19 games across two seasons. He was traded to Carlton during the 2017 off-season and made an immediate impact, playing 23 matches in his debut Blues season while averaging 23.2 disposals, 5.1 tackles, and 4.9 clearances per game. A versatile, big-bodied midfielder, Kennedy joined the Western Bulldogs during the 2024 trade period and was named to the club's leadership group in 2026.