SYDNEY Swans’ co-captain Leo Barry has said Tadhg Kennelly’s strong character will get him through yet another injury set back. The Irishman was treated for a shoulder injury at quarter time of the Swans’ 91-point win over Essendon, and had only just returned to the field in the second quarter when he dislocated his knee cap. The talented defender had scans which revealed no damage to the joint but will miss at least one week before being assessed again before round 10.

“He’s a pretty resilient guy Tadhg,” Barry said.

“And obviously having had so many injuries, he’s almost become accustomed to it. Not that you get used to getting injuries but he’s a real professional so hopefully we should have him back on the ground sooner rather than later.”

Kennelly played just 13 games in season 2007 due to injury, and so far this year has missed one round due to a hamstring injury. His withdrawal from the clash against the Bombers was especially ironic considering running defender Nick Malceski, now dubbed Sydney’s “bionic man” made a successful comeback from his revolutionary knee reconstruction just three months ago. Since the arrival of the Swans’ third running defender in Marty Mattner from the Crows, the defensive trio has never played a full game together.

“To get one player back, and to lose one of our other good players is frustrating. It would be great to one day have him (Malceski), Tadhg and Marty Mattner all on the field at the same time. That’s the three we need playing so hopefully it will happen by the end of the year,” Barry said.

The veteran praised the performance of the “bionic man” on his return.

“I suppose there’s a lot of pressure on Nick with him coming back after having the different surgery but look it was good for him to get a game and get some run into him. He did pretty well with the tempo. Having not played for so long to come straight back in the team shows he’s a classy player and that it was really the right decision to play him.”

In what was a second half goal blitz by the Swans, Barry who celebrates his 31st birthday on Monday, even managed to get in on the act, notching a celebratory major the day before his birthday.

“It was good to kick one and Ted (Richards) kicked one too. So that happens once in a blue moon so we’ll make the most of it… it’s always good to kick a goal. Unfortunately I didn’t kick too many when I was a forward, that was the problem,” he laughed.