OF all his natural goalkeeping attributes - a towering frame, sharp reflexes, athleticism and hands the size of dinner plates - none have been quite so valuable for Ben Kennedy as his thick skin.
Since making his A-League debut for the Newcastle Jets in 2006 as a tentative 19-year-old, the home-grown gloveman has at times been entitled to ponder the adage, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"
A section of Newcastle's so-called supporters spent the early stages of last season groaning every time Kennedy picked the ball out of his net and hammering him on internet forums.
Even the patience of Jets coach Branko Culina started to fray and, after a 3-1 loss to Melbourne Victory, he snapped, "Three games we've lost because of goalkeeping errors. That's nine points . . . Ben's progressing, but he's getting caught in situations where his decision-making in this stage of his career is not the right one, and we've probably paid the price."
When Kennedy was injured mid-season, allowing late bloomer Neil Young to string together nine consecutive games, many felt Newcastle's fortunes were in far safer hands.
But during his darkest days, the man they call "BK" never stopped believing.
If and when he got another chance, he vowed to grab it with both hands.
Eventually that opportunity arose when Young had his nose broken by Gold Coast striker Shane Smeltz, a setback that would have unforseen and almost-tragic consequences.
While Young was fighting to stay alive, Kennedy faced his own personal battle to resurrect his career.
And when the stakes were highest, the 189-centimetre Thornton junior stood tallest.
In Newcastle's opening play-off last season, against Gold Coast at Skilled Park, he maintained a clean sheet for 120 minutes, making six saves, three of them in extra time.
Then, in the do-or-die penalty shoot-out, he dived to his left, flung up his arm and parried away Zenon Caravella's strike to keep Newcastle's season alive.
A week later, the Jets were eliminated 3-1 in Wellington, but without further heroics from their man in goal, the damage would have been more substantial.
Culina had no doubt last year's play-offs series helped exorcise any demons that had been hindering Kennedy's development.
"I think the turning around for BK was the finals last year," he said.
"He had a couple of good games and it's given him a lot of confidence, and he's taken that into the new season."
Kennedy agreed that he emerged from the play-offs a different player.
"It just shows that I can do it, and now I just have to keep doing it consistently," the 23-year-old said.
"That's something I worked hard at in the pre-season and it's starting to show."
Three games into this campaign, the Jets have conceded just two goals, neither of which could be attributed to goalkeeping error. It is a vast improvement on last season, when Newcastle leaked 45 goals, more than any team except North Queensland.
Newcastle's last line of defence is relishing the discipline and commitment his teammates are showing when their opponents have the ball.
"We've only let in two goals, and they were dubious goals at that," Kennedy said. "One was an own goal and one I thought was a handball.
"But the whole team has been working hard defensively and I think that's really showing.
"I think two goals in three games is good, especially after what happened last year, and we're looking pretty strong at the back."
Culina said Kennedy's A-League initiation, under then coach Nick Theodorakopoulos, was daunting but the long-term dividends were starting to surface.
"For a goalkeeper it was very young," Culina said.
"There are few clubs that would take a punt on such a young goalkeeper.
"I think he was thrown in at the deep end because of the circumstances.
"Since then he's been understudy to Ante Covic for three years or thereabouts, and then last year he had the job in his own right.
"I think he's certainly had plenty of time to learn and mature and we're beginning to see him realise that potential he has.
"I really believe - and we all do at this club - that he's got the potential to be an exceptional goalkeeper if he knuckles down and works hard."
Culina said the progress of rival keepers Mitch Langerak and Danny Vukovic should provide Kennedy with motivation.
"There's no excuses for Ben now," Culina said.
"He's 23, he's been around the scene for a while now and he's had enough game time under his belt."
Kennedy said he felt "a lot stronger and more prepared mentally" heading into this season but, with just 38 A-League games to his name, was still a long way from the finished product.
"I'm still only young in goalkeeping terms," he said.
"You can play until you're 35 or 40 years old, so I've still got a lot to learn.
"Most goalkeepers don't peak until they're in their early 30s, so I'm just hoping to have a good year and keep moving forward."
And for the time being at least, Kennedy will be Newcastle's sole saving grace.
Young is still recovering from illness and surgery, and shadow keeper Paul Henderson left the Jets last week to join Central Coast, leaving Kennedy as the only custodian in Newcastle's squad.
Culina is scouring the marketplace for a deputy, and will run his eye over trialist Matthew Nash today, but sees no reason why Kennedy cannot play every minute of every game this season.
"As long as he does the job, he stays there," Culina said.
"But he has to keep playing at his maximum level."
Kennedy hopes to repay his coach's faith but knows from past experience there will be days when a thick skin comes in handy.
"It's going to be tough, because there are 30 games this year, but that's my aim, just to stay fit and keep performing," he said.
"I'm off to a good start to the year so I just need to keep that going."
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