Sydney captain Josh Kennedy says young brigade driving Swans premiership hopes

LAST year’s nightmare 0-6 start to Josh Kennedy’s captaincy is a fading memory and he credits the Swans kids for putting his horror show beginning in the rear view mirror.

Captain Josh Kennedy has played a key role for the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

LAST year’s nightmare 0-6 start to Josh Kennedy’s Swans captaincy is now a fading memory.

He credits the Sydney’s kids for the side’s turnaround and tonight against the Cats at the SCG the skipper wants a repeat performance from his young stars responsible for the Swans’ round-six upset win in Geelong.

With Lance Franklin out of action in Geelong through injury it was last-quarter goals from Robbie Fox, Zak Jones, Ben Ronke (on debut) and Will Hayward (2) that got Sydney home by 17 points.

TEAMS: ALL THE INS AND OUTS AHEAD OF ROUND 16

KEEPING FAITH: THE NUMBERS BEHIND SWANS’ DECLINE

TIPS: WHO OUR EXPERTS THINK WILL WIN IN ROUND 16

Captain Josh Kennedy has played a key role for the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

“We certainly wouldn’t be in the spot we are if it wasn’t for our kids,” Kennedy told The Daily Telegraph.

“What they’ve added is a new energy, excitement and enthusiasm. They have an enormous desire to learn and get better. It’s a very young team which has shown it can stand up in the pressure moments.”

The former Hawk turned 30 a fortnight ago and says his teenage teammates have given him flashbacks to the buzz he felt when his career was starting.

“You blink and you’re a senior player,” Kennedy said.

“These guys are 18 and 19 and I’m 30, it’s amazing how fast it’s gone. When they celebrate a win or a goal it reminds me when I was at that stage of my career. It doesn’t feel that long ago.”

In 2015 Kennedy and his wife Ana welcomed their son Emilio into the world and the star admits to feeling a little bit parental towards his young teammates.

“It’s added responsibility to me as a captain to help nurture and develop the kids coming through,” Kennedy said.

“It certainly gives you a lot of pride to see them come through, play so well and be so consistent.”

Not surprisingly Kennedy is feeling a lot more comfortable with the weight of leadership sitting in fourth spot on the ladder at 10-4 compared to this time last year when the Swans were 7-7 in ninth spot.

“I’m enjoying it a lot more,” Kennedy said.

“I’m still learning a lot along the way. The way the club has been set up and the way it operates has made it easier for me. It’s not easy but to have the support of the leadership group and the players is very important. They all just want to get better and are driven to do it. That’s emulated by the coaching staff and everyone from the board down.”

Sydney have made three forced changes to the team which lost the Richmond. Isaac Heeney (Concussion), Gary Rohan (Hamstring) and James Rose (Shoulder) have been replaced by Dan Robinson, Gary Rohan and Robbie Fox.

Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >