Josh Kennedy plays his 200th AFL game against his old club, Hawthorn. Picture: Phil Hillyard

As he prepares to play his 200th game at the MCG against the club he started at, Hawthorn, Josh has revealed he had serious doubts he was the right man to lead the club.

“Absolutely you question what you’re doing and if you’re the right man for the job,” Kennedy said.

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“When you’re 0-6 you’re questioning everything that was happening. I’m very lucky to have a great support network around me, my family and friends outside the club and the support from within the club from the board down to my team mates. It made it pretty easy.”

Part of that support network was his father John who played in four premierships with the Hawks in the 1980s and 1990s.

“I think it’s critically important that you stay positive when things aren’t going your way,” John Kennedy Jr said.

Josh Kennedy plays his 200th game this weekend.Source:AAP

John Kennedy Jr in action for Hawthorn in 1989.Source:News Limited

“There’s always periods when luck doesn’t run your way and the rub of the green. The main thing was to stay upbeat and a win was just around the corner. The Swans weren’t losing by much and they had some serious injuries to key players.”

Josh’s stress at the time was understandable — he was taking over the leadership from the highly successful pairing of Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack.

Adding to the tension was the pressure of being the first solo captain at Sydney since Stuart Maxfield in 2005.

From 2006 on the Swans had a rotation of co-captains which included Barry Hall, Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton and Adam Goodes.

There weren’t many things that went wrong in that period but when they did there were plenty of shoulders to carry the burden.

For Kennedy the buck stopped with him and he felt it.

Sydney captain Josh Kennedy ahead of his milestone. Picture: Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia

“Josh takes his role as captain very seriously,” John Kennedy jnr said.

“He understands the gravity of the role he has and with the respect it deserves. It’s the same at Hawthorn they know good people make good clubs.”

The Swans ship is well and truly back on an even keel after winning 10 of their last 11 matches to be knocking on the door to the top four and Kennedy can now look forward to chalking up his double century against the Hawks on Friday night.

His eight years at the Swans have been remarkable and a benchmark for consistency and success. He has never finished outside the top three in the Bob Skilton Medal, winning it three times coming runner up twice and finishing third twice. He has also missed just three games though injury in those eight seasons.

A young Josh Kennedy with grandfather John Kennedy Sr and father John Kennedy Jr.Source:News Limited

The view is a completely different one to the outlook he faced when he left Hawthorn at the end of 2009 to ignite a football career which was going nowhere at the club his father and grandfather had etched the Kennedy name into folklore.

“The decision was easy because of the opportunity and I just wanted to give it my best shot the worst case scenario was I’d have a life experience,” Kennedy said.

“To be here about to play 200 games after 13 ordinary games for Hawthorn, as my team mates remind me, is something I’m proud of. I remember at the induction someone said only 2 per cent of players play 200 games to be part of that group is something I’m proud of too.”

Kennedy clearly has a sense of occasion, by missing the round 16 match against Gold Coast he set up the perfect double century celebration against the Hawks.

“It’s ironic we play them this week,” Kennedy said.

“There will always be connection to Hawthorn because of my family background. They want me to do well. John senior has always been a passionate Hawthorn man and wants to see them succeed I’m not sure where his loyalties lie in the win-loss but I know they’ll be rooting for me.”

Originally published as Fatherly advice helps Kennedy refocus