Returning Sydney Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly says the start of this Friday night’s clash with Carlton at the SCG could be make or break.

Kennelly, who will make his long awaited return from an off-season knee injury this week, said the Swans could ill-afford a slow start against Carlton - with the Blues jumping from the blocks in their opening matches of the season, booting a total of 20 goals 23 behinds in their five first quarters.

“They have been one of the better teams in the competition at jumping out in the first quarter, so we’ve got to be really switched on,” Kennelly said. 

“If you do give them a good start, they’re going to carry it on. They’ve only lost one game out of five, so they’re up and going.”

Kennelly says he is looking forward to returning to the Friday night football stage for the first time during the home and away season since 2003.

“It’s a huge game for us, we lost two weeks ago against Geelong and you like to win most of your home games and make it a bit of a fortress,” he said.

“It’s quite exciting to play a Friday night game. The whole AFL community is looking at you as it’s the only game that is being played in the country. It’s just great to be part of that as a footballer - we don’t get enough Friday night football here in Sydney." 

Kennelly injured the medial ligament in his right knee during a training mishap in Ireland in early December last year. After three matches with the Swans Reserves, the Irishman is well prepared for his senior football return.

“It’s been five months since I had surgery, now I’m up and going and I’ve been ready to go for a while but we just took the conservative approach.

“Obviously I’ve played a few games in the Reserves and it was really good to get my confidence up first of all in my knee, but more so I suppose for my fitness having less players on the interchange,” he said.

The Swans have an imposing recent record against the Blues, winning 14 of the last 15 matches between the two Clubs. Amazingly, Carlton have not beaten the Swans in Sydney since 1993.

Last time the two teams met was last season’s memorable elimination final at ANZ Stadium. 

The Swans had all the ascendancy at half time, before a Chris Judd-inspired Carlton rallied to take control of the match in the third quarter. In a tight final term, the Swans fought back from being behind to claim a classic five-point win.