SYDNEY Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy will step out for his first NAB Cup match on Saturday night as he starts his journey towards trying to match, or even surpass, his outstanding 2011 campaign.

Kennedy was sensational last season, playing all 24 games and leading the League in both clearances and average contested possessions.

He managed an AFL-best 14.7 contested possessions per game, including a remarkable 25 in the Swans' semi-final loss to Hawthorn, and also topped the clearance count with 168 for the year.

It led to Kennedy finishing equal second in the Swans' best and fairest, alongside Rhyce Shaw, and behind only Adam Goodes.

He is hoping to continue in that vein in 2012, starting with Saturday night's NAB Cup game against North Melbourne at Bruce Purser Reserve in western Sydney.

At 188cm and a solid 96kg, Kennedy is often able to out-muscle his opponents at stoppages.

"That's my role within the side, to use my size," he said before training in Sydney on Thursday.

"I'm pretty big for a midfielder so I try to get the ball out of there in congestion and get it the outside to the run of Jets (Lewis Jetta) and Kieren Jack and the blokes who can burn out the back.

"I'm really excited about playing this week, my first game, and getting into it."

Kennedy's size means he is banned from doing upper body weights as part of his training regime, instead being limited to other routines such as yoga and leg-strengthening exercises.

A new rule introduced in this year's NAB Cup means it is even more important Kennedy doesn't bulk up too much.

"I get a bit heavy and especially now that they've brought in this two-interchange, two-sub rule for the NAB Cup, you need to be able to run," he said.

"So I need to stay as lean and light as I can."

While he was pleased with the level of his performance and his consistency in 2011, there is one key area Kennedy has targeted this season - his return in front of goal.

Last season he only managed 10.19, a conversion rate of just over 34 per cent, something he has been working hard at improving over the off-season.

"I wouldn't mind kicking a few more goals," he said.

"I think my percentage was horrible last year in terms of shots on goal and conversion.

"We've been doing a lot of work on it this pre-season, along with a lot of other things, and I'm hoping it'll translate into a good year.

"And maybe trying to get a few more handball receives and work on my outside game."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD