Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan has confirmed that midfielder Tanya Kennedy will feature for the first time this season, whilst Holly Cooper and Taylor Smith also return from injury for the side's AFLW Round 4 clash against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
After sustaining a back injury during pre-season and having to withdraw on the eve of the AFLW NAB Australia v Ireland game at the start of last month, Tanya Kennedy will make her first appearance this season.
O'Riordan said Kennedy would be a welcome return to the side.
“Tanya's, she's just relentless in her ability at the scramble and how she attacks the game with the level of determination she has,” O'Riordan said.
“I'm really excited to see what she can do in her first game back for the year.”
Also returning from injury is Holly Cooper, who is fit once again after missing last week's trip to Coffs Harbour due to an elbow injury, while Taylor Smith also returns well ahead of a once-suspected month-long wrist injury.
The undefeated Swans travel down to Melbourne for the first time this season to face the 2-1 Western Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are coming off a 47-point defeat to defending premiers North Melbourne.
“[The Bulldogs] have had a good start to the year,” O'Riordan said.
“[They] obviously put it up to North Melbourne last week for the majority of the game. North pulled away in the second half, but [they are a] really good team.
"[I am] really excited to see how we stack up against a team who are two wins from three, and it'll be a really good contest.”
