Swans set to get Kennedy back

Former Hawks Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn are in line to return from injury against their old AFL side on Friday, with Gary Rohan, another potential inclusion for Sydney.

Kennedy came through Monday’s training session in good order after missing the Swans’ one-point loss to Richmond at the MCG last weekend because of a minor hamstring issue.

Midfielder-small forward McGlynn missed the Tigers clash with a corked thigh.

Rohan hasn’t played a senior game this season because of a hamstring problem.

Clearance king and midfield dynamo Kennedy had missed just two of out of a possible 154 games for Sydney before last week.

“He was really close on the weekend,” Swans coach John Longmire said.

“The only thing that stopped him from playing was his history – a couple of years ago when he played after something that happened on a Thursday and actually did a bit more damage.

“But at this point we expect him to play. He was symptom-free today and probably the same with Ben McGlynn as well.”

Versatile but injury-prone speedster Rohan has put together successive matches in the reserves.

“He pulled up really well from the weekend, so he is in line for selection,” Longmire said.

Key forward Sam Reid, who also hasn’t played a senior match this season due to hamstring problems, would have come back through the reserves this weekend, but they have a bye and he will return the following week.

Longmire conceded the Swans midfield minus Kennedy was down on form last Saturday, but expected them to lift against Hawthorn at the MCG.

“We normally get a bit better consistency across that whole midfield group,” Longmire said.

“Particularly with Josh not being there we needed that, we didn’t quite get it, but we’re really confident that they will be right and they will bounce back.”

Although Hawthorn haven’t always been at their relentless best this season, Longmire was still deeply respectful of the Hawks, who like Sydney boast a 6-2 record.

“They’ve been able to do what they needed to do at important times and they’ve missed a few players that have been in and out of the team,” Longmire said.

“They’ve been able to cover that really well, so I think their form is pretty solid.”

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