Following a slower than expected start to the season, which saw the club lose three of their opening four matches, the Swans have now won three consecutive games and moved into the competition’s top eight for the first time this year.
Speaking in the rooms following the club’s comprehensive victory at the Gabba, Kennedy said he felt the Swans had rediscovered some of their best from.
“It was really important, particularly after a slow start to the season, to respond the way we did,” Kennedy said on Saturday night.
“It obviously started in our match against Freo, who are a quality opposition, and we’ve been able to work ourselves back into form, which is good.”
The midfielder, who picved up 34 touches and two goals in the Swans’ win, said his team’s defensive pressure was a highlight of the win.
Kennedy said the ability to pull away in the second half, particularly after an early burst of momentum from the home side, was a good sign for the team.
“Our tackle pressure, and our pressure on the ball carrier, it was pretty good for most of the game,” he said.
“Apart from a period in the second quarter where the Lions found some momentum, I felt that we really owned the game for the most part of it.
“With our tackle pressure and our general pressure, if we’ve got the weight of numbers and have got everyone playing their role, then we’re a really good side and we think we can beat anyone.”
The Swans face a short turnaround this week, with the team set to take on ladder-leaders Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
The Hawks continued their strong early season form last weekend, with a dominant 145-point victory over St Kilda in wet conditions at the MCG.
Speaking from Sydney Airport on Sunday morning, co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said his side has a huge test ahead of them against the Hawks.
"They continually play well; it doesn't matter what opposition they play against, they step up, they play at their level, a high consistent level every week," McVeigh said.
"That's what the great teams do and that's what they're doing at the moment.
"We have to bring high-level pressure, then bring our work rate and good ball use and skills, and hopefully it'll be a good contest."
After missing the Swans clash with the Lions, McVeigh conceded that all eyes would be on Lance Franklin, who could be in line to face off against his former side should he recover from a knee injury in time.
The co-captain said he had full confidence in Franklin’s ability to perform should he be fit to play.
“The pressure on him has been pretty high all year, so I don’t think it will get much higher,” McVeigh said.
“He’ll be raring to play, no doubt. He wouldn’t want to miss out.
“Players always want to play well against their old team.”
Kurt Tippett could also make his long-awaited return, which could see the Swans’ forward line of Franklin, Tippett, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes finally complete for the first time.
McVeigh warned not to expect too much too soon from the Swans’ forward group.
“They have to still bond together as a group,” McVeigh said.
“They are still under some injury clouds so we are going to have to give them time to gel together and get their bodies right and get themselves match hardened.
“We’ve got full faith the way Tippo has been training and Buddy has only had a week off. Hopefully those guys continue to get into form.
"Reidy will have another week of training under his belt. They’ll all be better for the run.”
McVeigh called for all Swans fans to turn out to ANZ Stadium on Friday night, in what will be an important match for the club.
“It would be nice to get a really big crowd at ANZ,” McVeigh said.
“To have around 50,000 there would be great to see really good teams going at it and fighting hard.”
