Kennelly admits to being a try-hard - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Kennelly admits to being a try-hard

By Adrian Warren 02/04/2010 07:01:26 PM Comments (0)

Returning Sydney Swans star Tadhg Kennelly admits he probably tried too hard to make a statement in his first AFL game back from Ireland and is determined to avoid a similar fate against Adelaide on Sunday.

After a year spent playing Gaelic football, Kennelly returned to Swans colours in last week's season opener against St Kilda at ANZ Stadium.

Although he tallied 28 touches, Kennelly admitted his kicking wasn't good.

"I felt so good physically that I really tried to do everything on the weekend," Kennelly told reporters at the SCG on Friday.

"I wanted to probably put down a statement to the competition that I was back and I probably tried too hard.

"I got a bit of footy but my use of it was shocking sometimes.

"My kicking, which is normally my good attribute, I was just pushing the issue a bit too much.

"This week I will let the game develop itself instead of trying to force the issue."

After a year of non-contact in Ireland, Kennelly got a quick reminder about the toughness of the AFL.

He was philosophical about getting concussed in his first game when he took a hit to the head from Zac Dawson in a marking contest in the final quarter.

"That's just part and parcel of football I suppose, the contests," Kennelly said.

He said he felt a bit hazy until Tuesday and had tests on Wednesday but was now feeling good.

Kennelly is one of only five current Swans to have played in Sydney's last win over the Crows in Adelaide nine years ago.

"They've got the wood over us but you never really talk of it as a player going into a game," Kennelly said.

He felt the key to breaking the drought was for the Swans to play in a disciplined fashion which would enable them to break down the Crows.

The Swans made just one change to the team shaded by the Saints with teenager Dan Hannebery replacing utility Ted Richards.

Hannebery, who played the last seven games in his rookie season, accumulated 40 touches for the Swans reserves last weekend.

Roos was pleased with the way the youngster had rebounded after suffering a fractured cheekbone over the Christmas break after he tripped over a fence.

"It was just a bit of a reminder to him that if you want to get a game it doesn't matter what you did last year, you need to work hard and he's really knuckled down after Christmas," Roos said of Hannebery.

Roos was looking for Sydney to build on a promising first-up effort against the Saints which was blighted by some costly turnovers and the concession of a few easy goals.

"Against probably a dozen teams in the competition, you come away from that game with a win," Roos said.

"Against the better teams you don't, because you can't turn the ball over like that but the majority of the way we played I was really pleased with."

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