Don’t be surprised if Josh Kennedy employs a few clever tactics against his former teammate Shane Mumford when the Sydney Swans take on GWS at Spotless Stadium this Saturday.

Kennedy, who has been on the end of countless taps from Mumford during his four seasons at the Swans, will for the first time be on the opposing team with Mumford lining up for GWS this season.

Speaking to SwansTV ahead of the club’s final training session this week, Kennedy said he might make a few sneaky calls during the ruck contests this weekend.

“I still might be calling for the ball,” Kennedy joked to SwansTV.

“He’s obviously a huge addition for them and is a really, really good player who has a big presence around the ground but I might just make a few calls and see what happens.”

The 2012 Bob Skilton Medallist admitted that he would have to be wary of angering the big ruckman, even though the pair are still good mates.

Kennedy said he had firsthand experience of what could happen if he pushed his former teammate too far, adding that he wouldn’t want to be in the path of an angry Mummy.

“I’m probably just going to stay clear of him because I know what he’s capable of when he gets a bit angry,” Kennedy said.

“Just look out Mummy … please don’t hurt me!”

Clever tactics aside, Kennedy said experienced players like Mumford, Heath Shaw, Josh Hunt and Dylan Addison would add a new dimension to the GWS side this season.

The midfielder said the four new faces in addition to GWS’s up-and-coming midfield would make for tough competition this Saturday.

“(The new players) will add just a bit more composure out of the backline and just a bit more run and leadership around the ground generally,” Kennedy said of GWS’s new line up.

“They are a new look (team) and a lot of their younger players have put on a bit of size, so they’re a strong team, they’re contested and they run hard.

“It’s going to be a tough game and we’re going to have to bring our best.”

Kennedy added that the Swans were expecting a major step up in intensity from the pre-season games when the 2014 AFL season begins this weekend.

The 25-year-old said it would be crucial for the Swans to get on top of the game early on, particularly against GWS’s talented young side.

“Round one is definitely a different kettle of fish,” he said.

“I think we can expect a higher intensity and a bit more contested stuff with a lot more hits.

“We rate them really highly and from my point of view their midfield is really, really strong at the moment.

“We had a really strong side (when we played them in the pre-season) and we got out of it what we needed to and no doubt this week we’re just going to have to take it up another level.

“It’s the best time of year just before round one and you can certainly feel the buzz in the air at training and everyone is really excited.”