Midfield depth keeps Swans healthy

Swans midfield mainstay Josh Kennedy has nominated Sydney’s huge depth in that area as a key reason for them enjoying a near full strength roster for the AFL finals.

With defender Nick Malceski likely to play in Friday week’s preliminary final after being cleared of any major hamstring problem, the Swans could field potentially their strongest 22 for successive finals.

Five players, including Kennedy, returned from injury for last Saturday’s qualifying final against Fremantle.

It’s a striking contrast to the same stage last year, when Sydney had to do without several stars including forwards Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid and defender Rhyce Shaw.

Swans coach John Longmire has a larger pool of talent he can run through the midfield and rotate through other areas this year, following the emergence of youngsters Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham and Ben McGlynn’s successful move into that most physically demanding of areas.

A myriad of options have allowed Longmire to lighten the workload of several of his established midfielders.

“It’s been a real strength of ours this year to be able to rotate players through there and it’s made for a really healthy list,” Kennedy said on Tuesday.

“Guys are probably carrying a little bit less workload throughout the course of the year being able to play forward, back and midfield.

“Guys that are on the fringe are knocking down the door and the guys that are in are fighting to keep their spots.”

Kennedy felt “cooked” ,in the immediate aftermath of the brutal clash with Fremantle but was feeling fresh a few days later.

His hamstring injury ended a league best 127-game streak and sidelined him for two matches, though he felt he probably didn’t need to miss more than one.

“I never really thought my season was in doubt,” Kennedy said.

He was considered a strong Brownlow Medal contender prior to his injury, but refused to dwell on how the break might have impacted on his prospects.

“Who knows? I’m not thinking about that now,” Kennedy said.

“It’s done and dusted, what I can do for the Brownlow, so it’s out of my control.

“Without thinking too much about it, I think it’s been a pretty good year for me personally, pretty consistent.”

While the Swans are scheduled to play their preliminary final at ANZ Stadium, Kennedy wouldn’t be devastated if a clash with the NRL finals meant the Swans game being switched to the SCG, which he said looked in season best condition.

“I’d be rapt with that, but I also love playing out at ANZ, ” Kennedy said.

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