Turned away, Kennedy’s dedicated fans stop in at pub to watch game

It takes a lot of dedication to drive more than 800km just to watch a footy match, but West Coast Eagles superstar Josh Kennedy’s hometown fans are famous for their devotion.

A group of friends, family and fans made the five-hour trip down south from Northampton and Geraldton to watch Kennedy, pictured, play his 250th game in the blue and gold on Sunday, only to have to turn around and drive home when news hit of fresh coronavirus restrictions, including a ban on crowds at Optus Stadium.

The announcement was made about two hours before bouncedown, forcing many regional footy fans to head home. Some punters were already waiting outside the stadium.

But where there is a will, there is a way. Halfway up Indian Ocean Drive, Kennedy’s fans took a break to watch the Eagles at the Lancelin pub, albeit to watch them being comprehensively beaten by the Western Bulldogs 13.20 (98) to 6.7 (43).