Josh Kennedy eyes off historic Derby return in round six
West Coast coach Adam Simpson will have to wait until the historic first derby in the new Optus Stadium to be able to capitalise on superstar Josh Kennedy.
Kennedy, 30, is targeting a full return to action against the Eagles' local arch enemy in round six on Sunday, April 29.
Josh Kennedy is expected to return in the first Derby at Optus Stadium in round 6.
And West Coast enforcer Nic Naitanui will continue his emotion-charged return with a broken right thumb.
Naitanui, 27, is understood to have needed pain-killers and obvious strapping around the thumb to get through his playing resumption, after suffering the break late into his match simulation preparation ahead of confronting the Swans yesterday.
It is not a major break and did not hamper Naitanui engineering an imposing presence around the ball in 54 per cent of playing time as the 2012 All-Australian affected 33 hit-outs, winning 12
possessions and booting a goal deep into third term time-on.
Kennedy is in the closing stages of recovery from an Achilles tendon surgery last December as well as a minor knee procedure this month before a crucial playing return.
Before Kennedy reported his right knee soreness and needs for attention to loose cartilage, the big forward had planned a return against Geelong on Sunday-week.
Nic Naitanui takes possession ahead of Sydney's Kieren Jack in Sunday's season opener.
Kennedy tweaked a knee cartilage a fortnight back as he approached heading back into full training with hopes of a playing return in round three against Geelong, or a week later against Gold Coast, both at home in the Eagles’ plush new stadium.
The two-time Coleman medallist was missed as the prime target when West Coast manufactured 60 entries inside their forward 50m arc against a formidable Swans on-ball division yesterday.
Whether Kennedy can resume his presence as the Eagles' premier “go-to” key attacking source will ease burdens on veteran duo Jack Darling and Mark Le Cras as crucial possible goal-kickers.
Champion Swans match-winner and four-time Coleman Medal winner Lance Franklin was the
difference between the two sides, with an imposing eight (8.1) from 21 disposals.
Darling (three) and LeCras (three) booted six goals and generated 28 disposals between them, with encouraging first-up contributions from Liam Ryan (one goal) and Jake Waterman with a major, playing a similar lead-up key forward as the missing Kennedy.
LeCras' third major 30 minutes into the third term dragged West Coast back to a deficit of just five points at the final break.
Sydney broke a spirited West Coast with three of the opening four goals into the final term and then
the last three of a tight engagement.
Naitanui and fellow on-baller Luke Shuey emerged as the Eagles' best couple of consistent
performers with their resistance to Swans star ball-winners Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Zac
Jones and Jake Lloyd.
Darling and LeCras would have been among West Coast’s top contributors, along with captain
Shannon Hurn and new All-Australian Elliot Yeo gathering a team-high 26 disposals in more regular time on the ball.