TADHG Kennelly says he's expecting talented Irish teen Brendan Murphy to join him in the senior side next season after the Gaelic football star's impressive form in the Swans reserves this season.

"It'll be good to have another Irishman in the side," Kennelly said on Tuesday. "I've no doubt he'll play next year."

The 197cm Murphy has progressed well in the reserves side this season with development coach Daniel McPherson saying he expected the Gaelic football talent and ruckman Daniel Currie to make the step up to the seniors over the next year or so.

From County Carlow, 19-year-old Murphy has put on 10-12 kilograms since arriving in Sydney earlier this year. However, his flatmate Kennelly said this bulking up has caused the youngster some problems.

"He's got to try and learn to run with the weight. It's given him some shin splints and groin problems but it seems to have cleared up and he's had a good month of football.

"Look he's young, so he'll be a bit up and down but I've just told him to enjoy his football and play consistently. Even if he's playing bad, just go out and try things. But I'm very excited about the way he's gone about his game."

Kennelly added that the rules of the game have provided a few challenges for Murphy – who's been groomed as a potential key position player.

"I've been playing it nine years and I still don't understand some rules. As long as he understands the main rules and doesn't make basic mistakes. He's very chilled out though... it's an Irish thing."

Meanwhile, Kennelly – who turned 27 today – will have his number one fan at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. "My mum's over here from Ireland. So I'll be putting on a few kilos with all her cooking," he joked.

The Swans running defender took his mother north to Port Douglas during last week's mid-season break.

"With my birthday today, she's cooking me a big home meal. It's always good to have mum over to spoil you.

"She's always saying I'm a big eejit! Like a big child. And she'll be there on Saturday night, two hours early as usual. She hates to be late for one of my games."