Injury would sour his season, but Sydney Swans defence coach Tadhg Kennelly is salivating at the thought of how Harry Cunningham will poll in the early rounds of Tuesday night’s medal count.

While persistent groin troubles mean Cunningham won’t have the esteemed Bob Skilton Medal draped around his neck at The Star Event Centre, the speedster is every chance of racing to an early lead.

The 25-year-old was superb over the opening seven rounds of Sydney’s campaign, gathering an average of 22 disposals per match and clamping some of the most dangerous small forwards in the league.

Kennelly expects Cunningham, who finished the season with just nine AFL games chalked up, to draw plenty of early votes.

“He had a huge start to the year,” Kennelly told SwansTV.

“It’d be interesting to see the best-and-fairest votes; I think he’d be in the top three before he got injured.

“He started on a wing and then went back into defence in Round 3 and gave us some real bounce and drive forward. He was also able to play on the small forwards as a lockdown defender.

“It was disappointing for him to finish the season with injury, but it’s exciting what he can produce as a defender with his ability to go forward and bounce and get some rebound for us.”

When Cunningham was helped from the ground late in the third term of Sydney’s clash with Brisbane in Round 7, he led the Swans in metres gained (426) and had kept 2019 All Australian Charlie Cameron to just one goal.

In fact, just four minutes after Cunningham was forced from the game injured, Cameron pounced to slot his second major.

In arguably his stand-out game of the season, Cunningham registered 25 disposals, eight marks, four inside 50s and 10 tackles against Melbourne in Round 4.

While frustrated about his injury-hampered run, the 113-game Swan says there are positives to draw from the season.

“I had a bit of a different role where I was in rehab for most of the year and helping the younger guys in the NEAFL,” Cunningham said.

“I played a bit of a role with ‘Laids’ (development coach Jeremy Laidler) helping out the twos. I really enjoyed that role but I’m looking forward to getting back into playing for the 2020 season.”