Richard Desmond (Des) Kennedy was born in 1909 and finished at Xavier College in 1926. He played over 200 games with the Red ‘n’ Blacks between1927 and 1940. He also wore the Big V and played a year with Melbourne in 1936.

Des captained the side from 1933 to 1939, apart from his season with Melbourne. His six seasons as captain remain unequalled 85 years later. He also coached the team in 1933 and 1934.

His period of captain includedthe club’s first premiership triumph. The Xavs won the C Section flag in 1938 against the favoured Uni Blues. In June 1940, the VAFA suspended competition for the duration of the war. Des  joined the RAAF as a Pilot Officer in July 1942, becoming a Flying Officer in 1943 and Flight Lieutenant with 450 Squadron in 1944.

On his return, he played an important role in the re-establishment of the club after WWII. He was a member of the Finance Committee between 1946 and 1950. Beyond that service, he remained a supporter and financial member of the club until his death in 1976.

Des Kennedy, along with Heinrich Schrader, who was president of the OXFC for the entire 1930s, guided the clubthrough the Great Depression, and to its first premiership. It is entirely appropriate their names should appear together again, this time on the list of life members.