In summary:
Josh Kennedy took on Sydney’s captaincy ahead of season 2017 and has now led the Swans to two finals series in his first two seasons at the helm.
Sydney fell to Essendon in Round 19 to drop from the top eight for the first time since the completion of Round 5 but Kennedy would lift the Swans from the doldrums, captaining his team to wins over Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS as it locked in a finals berth.
As a midfielder, the three-time All-Australian again carried the torch at the coalface of the contest, topping the Swans in contested possession, clearances and inside 50s.
Kennedy recorded 13 contested possessions, six clearances and three inside 50s on average per game.
The 30-year-old again also showcased his admirable durability, playing every game of the season as he squared off with a host of midfield bulls, including Patrick Dangerfield, Callan Ward and Patrick Cripps.
What the numbers say:
Games: 23
Goals: 10
Kicks: 250
Handballs: 334
Disposals: 584
Contested possessions: 314
Clearances: 140
Inside 50s: 85
Marks: 55
Tackles: 113
AFL Fantasy: 90.1 (average)
Best performance:
Round 6: Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, GMHBA Stadium
The Swans trailed the Cats by 22 points at three-quarter time but would clinch a 17-point victory, a win inspired by an exceptional captain’s performance in the final term. Kennedy tallied 13 of his 33 disposals and six of his 13 clearances in the last quarter to lug his side to victory. He also gathered nine inside 50s and 17 of his 33 possessions were contested. The skipper’s barnstorming display earned him a near-perfect nine AFL Coaches’ Association votes.
Milestone:
Playing 200th Swans game
Kennedy notched his 200th Swans game as Sydney cruised to a 59-point win over Fremantle at the SCG in Round 9. The three-time Bob Skilton medallist has played 227 career games, piling up 13 in Hawthorn colours before donning the red and white.
What they said:
Kennedy
“I was really proud of my contribution as a midfielder and captain after the Geelong game. I was proud of the way I was able to contribute but also the contribution of a lot of young players that really stepped up and took the game by the scruff of the neck, especially in that last quarter.”
Midfield coach Brett Kirk
“He’s a real bull inside. He does the basics really well, he’s clean, he’s hard, he’s tough, he leads from the front as captain. He had a consistent season but to his high, lofty standards he’s probably had a bit of a drop-off to what we’ve seen over the past five or six years. But we’re talking he’s set top echelons of standards.”
In pictures:
Josh Kennedy addresses his troops in Sydney's win over West Coast in Round 1.
Josh Kennedy sends the footy forward in the Swans' comeback win over the Cats in Round 6.
Josh Kennedy with the Marn Grook Trophy after Sydney beat Carlton in Round 11.
Josh Kennedy congratulates Bloods Legend Bob Skilton on his immortalisation.
Stay tuned for more season reviews at www.sydneyswans.com.au.
