Ex-Swans skipper Josh Kennedy stuns, gives coach a headache

Former Swans captain Josh Kennedy is giving coach John Longmire a selection dilemma with his irrepressible form.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is adamant he’ll find a place for three-time best and fairest winner Josh Kennedy in his team before the end of the season despite the Swans recent form surge that has them eyeing off a top four place.

The 34-year-old Kennedy produced another strong outing in the VFL with 37 disposals in the driving rain as the Swans reserve side beat Frankston by 44 points.

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It’s his second week back after a lengthy hamstring injury suffered in round 10 against Carlton but in that time his side has eclipsed fellow top four fancies in Fremantle away from home and stabilised on that with a 33-point win over Adelaide at home on Saturday at the SCG.

It begs the questions as to whether there’s a place for Kennedy in the Swans outfit ahead of the derby next week with GWS.

“He did what we thought he’d do. I’m sure there’s a role for him. I can’t tell you what it is now. He’ll be confident to come back in and do what we need him to do, we’ll work out what that is as the week progresses,” Longmire said.

“We think we can play him in a number of positions which we’ve done. That’s the versatility he adds to our team and experience. He knows his stuff as you can imagine.”

Josh Kennedy wants back in. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Kennedy was part of the Swans’ 2012 premiership. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Another veteran made headlines in the Swans triumph with Buddy Franklin moving past Gary Ablett Senior into fifth all-time on the VFL/AFL goalkicking list with his three majors to make it 1033 all-time but his coach was keen to focus on the other aspect of his game.

“I just thought his ability to pressure today for a big key forward who’s kicked 1000 goals was as good a pressure from a key forward as you’ll see,” Longmire said. “He was just getting after the opposition and the players really fed off it.”

Defensive star Nick Blakey led the way in a tackling sense down back and if not for a miraculous effort in the third quarter to reel in Ned McHenry when he was through on goal the Crows would have pegged the margin back to 15 points.

The only concern for the Swans is an ankle issue for Tom Hickey who was eclipsed in the ruck by Crows big man Reilly O’Brien.

O’Brien’s influence helped Rory Laird put in a dominant display for the Crows with 38 possessions and fourteen inside 50s despite Longmire admitting they tried to quell his influence with a tag.

The Swans also put some work into one of their former charges in Jordan Dawson who came in for some rough treatment from teammates throughout the game and the SCG crows who booed him whenever he touched the football.

“I think Jordy knew it was coming. That’s the game we play, it’s a competitive game and they brought it. He handled that well,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.

Along with the performance of Laird and the super impressive Sam Berry, who enhanced his top three in the AFL tackle count with another fourteen along with two goals, Nicks was delighted with the showing of raw defender Nick Murray who battled away with Franklin all afternoon and kept him to three majors.

“We’re really pleased with ‘Muz’ and what he’s bringing. He’s a competitor. I thought he had a really strong game, he’s just played on one of the superstars of the game and he can hold his head high,” Nicks said.

Originally published as Ex-Swans skipper Josh Kennedy stuns, gives coach a headache