Sydney coach John Longmire says sentiment will play a role in deciding whether Josh Kennedy will be given the chance to play on next year and reach his 300-game milestone.
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Kennedy's hopes of playing again this year looked slim when he suffered a serious hamstring tear in May.
But the 290-game veteran is now banging down the selection door after stringing together three impressive displays in the VFL.
Kennedy was the unused sub in Sydney's 73-point win over GWS on Saturday before fronting up for his third consecutive VFL hit-out.
The 34-year-old is hoping to force his way into Sydney's 22 for Sunday's AFL match with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in the third-last round before the finals.
Kennedy is out of contract at season's end, but Longmire hasn't closed the door on the veteran continuing on.
"I had a brief chat with him a couple of weeks ago about how he's feeling about it," Longmire said.
"He said, 'All I want to do is get back and play this year'.
"He's very much a live-in-the-moment type of person. He's just wanting to get his body right and come back and play.
"He'll work out what he wants to do at his own pace."
Asked whether there was sentiment in football as Kennedy approached his 300-game milestone, Longmire replied: "There's always sentiment in football, that's what the great thing about the game is.
"But there's also other things involved as well. We'll let Josh work through that at his own rate. We know what sort of quality person he is, and he deserves that right."
The Swans (13-6) have rocketed to fourth on the back of four straight wins, and they have the chance to give their percentage an important boost when they take on last-placed North.
Ruckman Peter Ladhams is set to be available after recovering from a broken thumb, but he may be forced to play in the VFL given the success of the combination of Tom Hickey and Sam Reid.
Reid kicked three goals from 18 disposals against GWS, and his versatility has become a major weapon for the Swans.
"He's been able to hit the scoreboard as well as be good in the ruck," Longmire said.
Star midfielder Chad Warner has been receiving plenty of support since lewd images of his were leaked online without his consent.
"He's OK. He's got a really good support network around him, which is really important," Longmire said.
"The players have got around him and it's been important to support him."
Australian Associated Press
