But Kennedy also praised the overall performance of umpires on the weekend, saying it was a fact of life for umpires that they could do most things right yet the focus would fall on any errors.
Kennedy said the umpires' mantra was consistent when it came to such situations: protect the ball player.
"That is what we talk about," Kennedy told AFL.com.au "Even if the player is bending down to pick up the ball and in the process there is slight contact from in front, we say 'if in doubt, protect the ball player'."
In the Hannebery incident, the Swans midfielder went down low and contested the ball, making the call more difficult for the umpire in real time.
Kennedy said the umpires had performed well in the 12 hours of football played in round nine and improved in many areas, including the bounce with just four bounces recalled in the six games.
He said the sliding rule was being adjudicated well in 2014 but admitted St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt should have received a free kick when Gold Coast's Danny Stanley made forceful contact below the Saints' skipper's knees.
He commended the players' ability to adjust to the interpretation of what has become known as the sliding rule.
"Players have been absolutely brilliant at what they're doing and how they have reacted," Kennedy said. "The difficulty comes when it is dewy or slippery, [as players] tend to not hold their feet as much and the ball is on the ground."
Umpire Brett Rosebury told AFL.com.au recently that the forceful contact rule was difficult to adjudicate as umpires had to determine whether contact was forceful, below the knees or whether high contact had been made.
Umpire Troy Pannell, who was concussed during Friday night's game, is recovering well but is unlikely to umpire this weekend.
