Sydney Swans co-captain Josh Kennedy prospects of joining club legends Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh and Michael O’Loughlin as the only Swans to play 300 games for the club have received a boost with the midfielder signing a contract extension to play on in 2022.
The 32-year-old is preparing for his 271st game this Friday night when the Swans face Hawthorn at the SCG in Round 13. Kennedy has played 257 matches for the Swans since joining the club ahead of the 2010 season, after 13 games for his former club Hawthorn.
"I'm really grateful again for the continued opportunity, and just to be part of this group going forward, it is an exciting time," Kennedy said.
"I've been pretty happy with the way that I'm going and certainly the way that I'm feeling in terms of my ability to play every game this year and back up on the training track. And my output has been relatively consistent as well over the course of the year.
"Above all, just seeing the growth as well in our team and our young players and the way that we're gelling together more as the weeks go on."
The veteran midfielder said that he has been impressed but not surprised by the improvement of young guns like Oliver Florent, James Rowbottom and Chad Warner this season.
With an 8-4 record and a match against old rivals Hawthorn at the SCG to come before a bye, the Swans are well placed to make their first finals appearance since losing to Greater Western Sydney in the 2018 elimination final.
Kennedy has played 22 finals in his 14 seasons and sees the opportunity for the group to test themselves in September as an important step in their development.
"It would be big. To experience that, to feel that as a player, that's what footy is all about and I think is the biggest motivating factor for any player. To get a taste of it certainly helps with that," he said.
"You're constantly measuring yourself against the best teams in the competition. We take a lot of confidence out of certain games this year and the way that we've played in patches.
"But we've still got some ground to make up. That's our focus, but certainly that confidence to know that you can match it against the best gives us a lift."
Kennedy has played a number of different roles this year, crediting a show of confidence in his fellow teammates and a big driver for the team success so far this season, however noted there was still improvements to make.
“It’s a show of confidence as a whole that when my turn comes, I go on and play a role and vice versa for anyone else, and that team aspect has been a big driver for our success this year.” Kennedy said.
“We have shown throughout the course of the year that our best footy is capable to match it with anyone, but to be able to do that, week in week out, quarter by quarter that is what the best sides do and we still have a gap to make up there,” he added.
The Swans will face Hawthorn at the SCG this Friday night with Kennedy not underestimating the opposition.
"I am sure there is still going to be plenty of feeling in the game and the Hawks have earnt the right over many years, to have a few tricks up their sleeve and it's going to be a big game.
"They have shown throughout the course of the year too that their best footy can match it with both teams and we have to bring our best to match it with them."
