Kennedy, who missed the last two matches of the regular season with a minor hamstring injury, hit the ground running in Saturday’s 24-point qualifying final win over Fremantle, notching up 22 possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles.
Speaking to media ahead of the club’s Tuesday training session, Kennedy said while the week off was a positive from a team perspective, next week’s preliminary final cannot come quickly enough for him.
“I think from the team’s point of view (the week off is) obviously a huge advantage,” Kennedy said.
“We’ve done really well to get ourselves into this position.
“From a personal point of view though, I’d love to play this week and play the prelim this week because I’m back and want to go again.
“But for the team, it’s a great advantage.
“After the game I was pretty cooked and certainly Sunday I was pretty tired.
"But I’m feeling good now and the fact we're in a prelim, and the guys are all fit and healthy, makes life a lot easier.
"It wasn't easy (sitting out), especially against Richmond, but hopefully in a few weeks' time I can look back on it and say it was a great decision."
Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy at training on Tuesday afternoon
Despite the wave of initial concern that followed his injury and subsequent substitution out of the Swans’ clash with St Kilda in round 21, Kennedy confessed he was always confident he’d be fit for finals football.
The midfielder, who was recently named in the All Australian squad, said he felt certain he could have played in the final two matches of the regular season, but opted to take the cautious approach leading into September.
“I wouldn’t have minded to keep playing that (St Kilda) game, with Buddy kicking nine and then the following week as well, I never really thought that my season was in doubt,” Kennedy said.
“I always thought that I would play the next week and then play the next week, so I was never too worried.
“I had (a hamstring injury) a couple of years ago in the pre-season which was a bit worse, so I sort of knew it wasn’t too bad, but at the same time I didn’t want to risk it at this time of year.”
Kennedy will be one of 12 Swans - 13 including Lance Franklin - set to play in their third consecutive preliminary final when the Swans host Geelong or North Melbourne, who will play off in a semi-final this Friday night.
The 26-year-old said there was a good feeling around the club heading into next weekend’s game, with the senior players helping set their younger counterparts on the right track ahead of the all-important preliminary final.
“I think it’s great to be able to draw on that experience from senior players,” Kennedy said.
“There are a few guys who haven’t had that experience, and it’s no doubt a really exciting time for them, as it is for us and everyone.
“We’ve worked really hard to get ourselves in this position and now it’s just about making the most of it.
“I think there’s a really good feeling amongst the boys at the moment.
“We’re really confident and happy to have the week off, and hopefully we’re ready to rip in next week against either Geelong or North Melbourne.”
