AFL: Sydney Swans great Josh Kennedy’s finals hopes hang by a thread after second hamstring setback

Josh Kennedy was bidding to break back into the Swans’ senior side in time for finals but that mission is suddenly much more problematic.

Sydney’s Josh Kennedy limps from Arden Street Oval on Sunday after injuring his left hamstring. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney officials are sweating on the severity of champion midfielder Josh Kennedy’s potentially season-ending hamstring strain suffered in the VFL on Sunday morning.

Kennedy hurt his left hamstring lunging towards North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas as the Kangaroo burst out of the centre in the second quarter at Arden Street Oval.

The Swans are referring to the 34-year-old’s setback as a strain but remain unsure of how serious it is. He won 10 disposals before limping from the field.

Kennedy’s injury coincided with Kangaroos star Ben Cunnington playing his first game in 379 days since being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Mutual respect: Ben Cunnington (left) and Josh Kennedy caught up before and after their VFL clash on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Cunnington, who won the first centre clearance of the match, finished with 18 disposals and three tackles before calling it a day at three-quarter time.

Kennedy’s hopes of forcing his way back into the Swans’ senior side for finals now hang by a thread.

He was Sydney’s medical substitute last week but has otherwise played at second-tier level for the past month since missing eight weeks recovering from a serious right hamstring tendon injury against Carlton in May.

Swans coach John Longmire has consistently praised Kennedy’s attitude and leadership this season while he adjusts to going from an all-time club great to being a fringe member of the squad.

Josh Kennedy won 10 disposals before suffering a left hamstring strain. Picture: Getty Images

Kennedy is yet to indicate publicly whether he plans to continue into a 17th AFL season next year that would give him the chance to bring up his 300-game milestone.

The former co-captain has appeared only 11 times at senior level this season, which would be the lowest in his 13 seasons in Sydney after crossing from Hawthorn.

Kennedy’s honour roll includes playing in the Swans’ 2012 premiership, winning three Bob Skilton Medals as the club’s best and fairest and being a triple All-Australian.

He has won the most contested possessions (4006) of any AFL footballer since the statistic was recorded.

Originally published as AFL: Sydney Swans great Josh Kennedy’s finals hopes hang by a thread after second hamstring setback