Hannebery, who was named All-Australian for the first time in 2013, has endured a slow recovery from an ankle syndesmosis injury suffered in the Swans’ round 13 win over Port Adelaide and is likely to miss Friday night’s clash with Essendon at the SCG.
While acknowledging Hannebery’s talents and impact on field, Kennedy said the performance of the club’s up-and-coming midfield talent, including the likes of Luke Parker, Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd, has meant the Swans have not been disadvantaged in Hannebery’s absence.
“Obviously he’s a great player and we love having him playing,” Kennedy told media on Wednesday.
“He’s a huge asset to us but I think we have been able to cover him pretty well since he’s been out.
“We’ve been playing really well apart from the weekend (against Hawthorn) and it will be great when he comes back, but at the moment we’ve got full faith in everyone else that’s taking the park.”
Dan Hannebery, Harry Cunningham and Josh Kennedy celebrate the last win over Essendon in round nine
The Swans will face off against Essendon on Friday night, who will also be without a key midfield cog, with captain Jobe Watson still sidelined with a hip injury.
But like the Swans, Kennedy said the Bombers had not missed a beat in Watson’s absence, with a host of young talent stepping up in his place.
“We rate them really highly,” Kennedy said of Essendon.
“Obviously their last month has been really good.
“They’ve got no Jobe (Watson) playing, but other guys have stepped up and (Jake) Carlisle is obviously in great form and (Dyson) Heppell has really stepped up as well.
“It’s going to be a huge contest and I think it’s going to be a really tight match.
“Hopefully we get a ripping crowd out here on Friday night and it will be a good spectacle.”
The Bombers will enter Friday’s match full of confidence following three-straight wins over Collingwood, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs and will be well rested after last weekend’s bye.
The Swans are in the midst of a six-day turnaround following last Saturday night’s loss to Hawthorn, but Kennedy said the shorter preparation should have no bearing on the team’s performance.
“I don’t think (the short turnaround) should worry us,” he said.
“In the past we’ve done pretty well.
“I know we did against Carlton after coming back off a trip from Perth, so we’ve got confidence in that.
“Really, it’s about trying to bounce back and to get back to what we know we’re good at.
“It will be another test for us this week and hopefully we respond in the right way.”
