There's still hope of finals this season - Kennedy

Swans captain Josh Kennedy is still upbeat despite the Swans' torrid start to the season, winning just three games from their opening ten matches.

While a loss to the Dogs would make the Swans slim chances of making the finals almost impossible, Josh Kennedy doesn't see it as their last chance, but he knows it's pretty close.

The Swans are 3-7 heading into another crunch match, this time against the reigning premiers, their second meeting this season.

For the Swans to make the finals, they have to win at least nine of their next 12 games, and with their recent home record at the SCG, it's looking like a highly unlikely prospect.

Kennedy still remains positive and takes heart from the fact that his side has been in a positive position to win most games they've played this season, and given the Swans sit three wins outside the top eight, the players haven't given up.

"As long as there's a mathematical chance there's still going to be hope," he said.

"We were certainly feeling like we had turned things around after the St Kilda game, (we were) in good form, but you take the foot off the pedal even one per cent and you get found out.

"I think it's similar across the whole competition, that’s just how even it is this year, and that has to be at the forefront of our minds especially given the situation we're in."

Kennedy was one of the players to lift his form in the previous month of football, averaging 30 possessions and a goal during the Swans wins.

Fellow stars Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery also lifted, before a dip against Hawthorn two weeks ago, and along with Isaac Heeney and Zak Jones, they're relishing the chance to test themselves against the Bulldogs midfield.

"It's a real strength of theirs, it's been a real strength of ours, albeit this year we've probably let ourselves down in that area," he said.

"What better way to try and turn it around then against the best in the comp in terms of contested footy, and that’s the Doggies, so we look forward to the challenge of trying to match them in that area."

Sam Reid and Jake Lloyd will return to the side, having recovered from their concussions, while former captain Kieren Jack (hip) and Sam Naismith (knee) are in the running to be selected, but former captain Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) is unlikely to be ready in time, given his record of soft tissue injuries in recent seasons.

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Justin Mitchell

Justin is a passionate AFL and Sydney Swans supporter, and football blogger since 2016. All articles are of his own opinion. You can reach him by twitter and Facebook at @theswansblog

Melbourne, Australia https://theswansblog.com

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