Kennedy was the toast of Magpieland after a 10-goal haul in a 53-point win to claim the annual George Heath Cup against traditional rivals Nuriootpa in Tanunda.

He picked up the inaugural Perce Mattner medal for best afield and moved himself to a personal tally of 59 goals at the exact halfway mark of the season.

More importantly his form and the form of the teammates delivering the ball to him has his club undefeated at the top of the table.

Despite occupying bottom position for seven of the nine rounds played, Nuriootpa went into this game with some optimism, defeating Willaston for their first win the previous week and despite languishing haven’t suffered a severe punishing yet.

Tiger skipper Shawn Gibson opened the scoring but in an ominous portend of things to come Kennedy notched the next three.

The Magpie full forward only notched one in the second term, however his teammates Scott Rogasch, Boh Wall and Ben Newberry chipped in with majors to keep their score moving.

Doubles to Ryan Foulis and Gibson kept the Tigers in the hunt, but it was always the Magpies ahead in the second term, Nuri’s best.

The third quarter was a struggle in more ways than one, Nuri couldn’t buy a goal, kicking five minor scores while Tanunda relied on that man Kennedy for all three of their majors.

Tanunda drove the win home in the last quarter with a seven goal surge, Kennedy adding another three to his tally including a successful air shot.

A bit of ‘cream’ came from Richie Kruger who nailed two long goals for the victors.

Kennedy got the accolade for best player for his excellent finishing however others to push him for the honours were Pitman Medallist Ben Newberry who has lifted his performances even higher since the Association game and another medallist (Schluter) in Malcolm Greenwood who played in the centre.

Jon Kieboom was the pick of the defence which pressured the Tigers into many of their minor scores. The Underwood recruits Craig and Matthew also got in the top six with both putting in another sterling effort in the midfield.

Plenty of others could have been thrown into the mix in this winning combination which squared the ledger for George Heath Cup wins.

Nuriootpa wouldn’t have been happy with the loss however with only three less scoring shots than their juggernaut opponents they must believe they are starting to move in the right direction.

Captain and centre Shawn Gibson was best for the second week in succession and ruckman Matthew Cragg-Sapsford won his position against a quality opponent.

Jarrod Tregenza was also a winner at centre half back and on-baller Billy Nicholls was hard around the packs. Ryan Foulis and Dean Vickery were also noticeable.