Best on ground? Who else, but the man of the moment.

Few players have ever bowed out more impressively than Eagles great Josh Kennedy after the star forward called time after 271 games and 712 goals in blue and gold.

That he finished with an eight-goal bag, equal to the fourth highest haul in a single game for the club, was a remarkable climax for the 34-year-old.

After Adelaide kicked out to an early advantage, Kennedy helped to pull back the first quarter momentum with three classic set shorts that split the middle from deep on the forward arc and close to the boundary.

The 50,000-strong crowd enjoyed every moment and Kennedy, who has always had great respect for the fans, ensured they were involved in his celebrations.

The leading goal-kicker in club history was, unsurprisingly, the focal point in the majority of the Eagles forward thrusts and took eight marks inside the attacking arc, finishing with 15 possessions and a best-on-ground performance.

It could have been a dream finale, had the Eagles been able to close out the game when they were in striking distance in the dying minutes.