Entering her third season at the top level, Sydney midfielder Tanya Kennedy is looking to take her game to new heights this year.

Kennedy had a consistent 2024 season, featuring in all 11 games and placing fourth in the club's best and fairest. 

Nine weeks out from the AFLW season, the Swans are in the midst of their fourth week of pre-season training.

Kennedy said the team was working hard and she was improving each week. 

"We're feeling great, we're excited, everyone's training really well and enjoying it," Kennedy said.

"For me personally, I'm growing as a player, every training session, every match, I feel like I'm just getting better and better.

"The excitement around the place is great, on Wednesdays we kind of do contested footy, so it's a lot of repeats after repeats and just digging deep, that gritty feeling that you get just whenever you just need to dig deep and contest."

Hailing from Donegal in Ireland, Kennedy moved to Australia in 2012.

The 31-year-old said the recent off-season gave her chance to return home and reset before a big pre-season.

"It was lovely, I got to go home and spend time with the family around Christmas time," Kennedy said.

"It's pretty cold back there, so it's like a lot of chilling, eating soup and yeah, just spending time with family.

"I trained a bit at home with family and friends, so kind of always kept fit and then when I came back to Australia, it was time to go hard again."

When she returned to Australia, Kennedy became a citizen of her adopted country and can now officially call Australia home.

"I've been here over 12 years and I finally got the citizenship, it was a long wait, but yeah, it was perfect and it was such a gorgeous day," she said.

"I'm privileged to be a citizen now, I don't need to worry about any visas and stuff, and I can just play footy and have fun."

Since making her debut in 2023, Kennedy has cemented herself in the Swans' line-up and is known for her competitiveness and attack on the ball.

Kennedy said that she was focused on playing her role for the team. 

"The season itself (last year) we didn't do as well as we wanted, but there was still a lot to take from it," Kennedy said.

"A long way to go, but I'm enjoying the footy and I think whenever you're enjoying it, you play the best.

"Individually, being better as a team-mate, working well, playing my role, whatever that may be, whatever Scott and the team asks, they know best so, following the process and just whatever is needed."

The Swans will open their season against Richmond at North Sydney Oval on Friday, August 15.

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