Bob Skilton Medallist Josh Kennedy said the Swans are ready to attack the 2013 season.
The 24-year-old, who produced an outstanding year in 2012, said he and his team mates are hungry for more on-field success this season.
“I think it’s a really good feeling amongst the group and I think at this time of year, and I can probably speak for everyone in the competition, they’re just ready to start and start playing games and we’re certainly no different,” he said.
“We obviously started a bit later in the pre-season but everyone came back with a good attitude and a good mindset and was really hungry to attack the season again.”
Speaking to SwansTV after Wednesday’s training session, Kennedy said the Swans squad were in good shape ahead of next week’s NAB Cup, in particularly the club’s new recruits.
“I think all of the young guys have really impressed from the rookies all the way to our first round draft pick,” Kennedy said.
“It’s exciting because we’ve got a really fit, healthy and enthusiastic squad and hopefully we’ll be able to blood a few (of our new players) in the NAB Cup.”
The midfielder added that he will use next week’s pre-season competition as a building block for his own fitness ahead of round one.
“I did come back with a bit of groin soreness after season 2012, but I haven’t really missed a beat since then and I was back into skills post-Christmas and it’s been a really solid build up,” he said.
“I think (NAB Cup) will just be a build up just like my pre-season has sort of been, so NAB (round) one is touch and go but after that I will be full throttle until round one.”
Despite averaging over 28 possessions per game and being one of the Swans most dominant players in the 2012 season, Kennedy said his game still required improvement.
Kennedy added that both he and his team needed to continue to take steps forward to ensure the Swans stayed on top of their game in season 2013.
“It’s a constant effort to improve,” he said.
“I don’t think we ever think that we’re perfect, but I’ve certainly got areas of my game which I can improve.
“I think probably handling a bit more scrutiny from opposition teams and dealing with that is one of them for me, but I have confidence in myself and also in my team mates that we can all work together and we can all build something special again this year.”
And after finishing the 2012 season atop the premiership podium, Kennedy added that he didn’t believe the team would feel any added pressure heading into this year’s AFL season.
Instead, the talented midfielder cautioned that if the Swans rested on their laurels following their successful 2012 season, the competition would soon catch up to them.
“From a team point of view I don’t think (we feel added pressure),” he said.
“We know that if we’re a bit off we can be beaten by anyone, so it’s just a constant grind and we’ll just be trying to get up each week.
“I think our if processes stay the same and we go in each week and try and win, we’re confident that we can if we put everything together."
