If there’s one man who the Sydney Swans will hope is fit and firing ahead of Saturday’s crunch game against GWS, it’s Josh Kennedy.
The ball magnet and midfield bull hasn’t been given the green light to play in Sydney Derby XIII yet despite both player and coach sharing assurances in Monday’s joint press conference at Spotless Stadium.
“It's pretty good, I was close to playing on Saturday so I'm pretty confident of coming up this week,” the Swans skipper said.
Kennedy’s influence is undisputed, hence the added interest around the skipper’s fitness.
He is Sydney’s number one clearance player, both at the centre bounce and around stoppages, and is ranked second in the competition for average contested possessions behind reigning Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield.
While his late omission before Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast didn’t fail Sydney’s match-winning formula, it may just have a significant effect on the result of Saturday’s cross-town clash.
GWS are the best clearance team in the competition, averaging 41.8 per game this season. Winning it out the centre and around stoppages releases the Giants’ outside runners and, when they’re up and going, they’ve proved difficult to stop.
Taking nothing away from Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery’s influence around the contests, there’s no denying that Kennedy will be crucial when the ball is in dispute.
The 29-year-old loves playing against the arch enemy.
He’s averaged a touch under 28 disposals and kicked 14 goals across his 12 meetings with the Giants. In those encounters, he’s tallied 92 clearances (second to Hawthorn) and 202 contested possessions (behind Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs) in total, meaning he’s risen to the challenge in big games.
And that’s exactly what defender Jake Lloyd is expecting if the skipper passes his fitness test.
Lloyd says Kennedy’s impact this season has run deeper than what the stats sheets have shown, he’s been the key man who’s turned the Swans’ fortunes around.
“He’s pretty much led from the front with the way he’s played,” Lloyd told Melbourne radio on Wednesday.
“It’s been tough going for him, to be announced as captain then open the season 0-6, you felt sorry for him a bit.
“But he’s led the charge and really got our season back on track.”
While it’s been an incredible rise, the Sydney Swans will face its biggest test in the form of the Giants.
They cling to second spot on the ladder so have plenty to play for and have a number key personnel coming back into the squad which are only strengthening its depth as the countdown to finals begins.
“They’re obviously a quality young side,” Lloyd added.
“They’ve probably had our measure, to be honest, the last couple of times we’ve played they’ve really touched us up.
“This weekend just as important for them as it for us, and for the rivalry as well. Our season is on the line, they’re playing for top four, it’s such an even comp and we need to keep winning.”
“We’re really looking forward to the challenge on Saturday night.”
Kennedy is among a trio of players the Match Committee will consider, with Kurt Tippett and Will Hayward also striving for selection.
