Playing with Central Districts' junior teams, Kinnear was selected with pick 56 in the 1997 AFL Draft by Collingwood and was touted as a key forward.
Kinnear made his senior AFL debut in 1998 and had a breakthrough period in 2000–2001 which saw him live up to potential as a key-position player.
Kinnear however played just one game for Collingwood in 2002, where he kicked an infamous pass across the face of goal against Carlton.
Playing most of his football with Collingwood's Victorian Football League (VFL) affiliate the Williamstown Seagulls, Kinnear made some senior appearances in 2003, but a serious ankle injury against Richmond saw him stretchered off the ground, and looked like the end of his career.
He won the best and fairest with Lalor in 2005, and took up a playing-Assistant coach role at the grassroots club for 2006.