Australian football
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THESE are the two new recruits who could power the Griffith Swans back into the Riverina Football League finals this season.
Battle-hardened Finley pair James Kennedy and Richard Malone have both pledged to lead by example once they have earned their stripes with their new teammates.
The two have hundreds of games of experience under their belts, numerous best and fairest trophies between them and both are former club captains.
Together, they look set to inject the assuredness the Swans need across the half-forward line this year and are determined to establish themselves as key senior players.
"On top of the guys and the leaders already there, that's how I'd like to see it I'm here for the long haul and as long as I'm playing footy here, I want to lead by example," Kennedy said.
Mobile big man Malone, 26, is also keen to get his hands dirty at the Swans' coalface.
He comes to Griffith from Dalby in the Darling Downs competition in Queensland and is licking his lips at the opportunity to break into his new side and play at a higher level.
"It's going to take a little bit to get used to this sort of quality again but I'll be right," said Malone, who also won a flag with the Thuringowa Bulldogs in Townsville in 2010.
"I was best and fairest in my last two years at Dalby and I was able to fit into a senior role there fairly quickly.
"But judging from the ability of the boys here, I'll be middle of the pack, which is a great feeling.
"I watched a few games at the end of last season and I was pretty impressed witht the standard of footy and the fitness of the boys compared to the Queensland leagues I've played in."
Kennedy, 25, has been encouraged by the numbers are pre-season training so far and senses finals are a very realistic proposition for the Swans.
"If ever there's a possibility, it's there," said the former Murray Football League stalwart.
"The boys are pretty determined to work on their flaws from last year and finish games out.
"They're keeping their eyes on the start of the season but going off a bit of the talk around town, finals are a chance if we work hard enough."