James Packer has hit plenty of hurdles lately in his bid to make his mark on the business world as the third generation of a famous Australian family.

Josh Kennedy, whose father John Kennedy Junior and grandfather John Kennedy are revered figures at AFL club Hawthorn, knows all about the pressures of trying to carry on the family name.

While his father and grandfather can boast seven premierships between them as player and coach, Josh played just 13 games for the Hawks including 10 in 2009 before he was traded to Sydney.

Kennedy had some unhappy moments, including criticism he received for handballing instead of having a shot at goal in a one-point loss to Geelong in round 17 at the MCG.

The 21-year-old says Sydney's famous ability to help recruits get the best out of themselves after crossing from rival clubs has helped convince him to embrace the move north.

"It's certainly something you weigh up," Kennedy told reporters on Monday as the Swans trained at Centennial Park.

"They have a good record. Craig Bolton (ex-Lion) and Ted Richards (ex-Bomber) come to mind."

Former Magpie Rhyce Shaw added to the list by finishing runner-up in Sydney's 2009 best and fairest.

"I've got a fair bit of improvement to go and a bit of hard work to do to I suppose create a name for myself," Kennedy said.

"It was certainly a very, very hard decision.

"Yeah absolutely I'd be lying if I said I didn't (feel torn).

But I'm very lucky to have the good support of family and friends.

"I spoke to the Hawthorn Football Club and as much as I would have loved to have stayed at Hawthorn and carried on that tradition, it's just not the case.

"The industry today is cut-throat. I've got to try to work out what's best for me in terms of opportunity to play senior footy and it just didn't seem like it would be at Hawthorn."

Kennedy says the media scrutiny of his every move on the football field in Melbourne was nothing new.

But he said slipping "under the radar" in rugby-league dominated Sydney wasn't a motivation in moving north.

"I've grown up with it most of my life and I know how it works," the midfielder said.

"It didn't really affect me. Yeah I know the Geelong game, where I probably could have had a shot.

"There's no point in stewing over it. You just get on with it.

"Now that all the trade week and all the media has passed us, I just can't wait to meet everyone and just make me feel like home.

"I was actually up in Airlie Beach throughout the trade week with a few friends so I didn't hear much of the action going on in Melbourne."

Kennedy said he was recovering well from a minor hip operation and hoped to resume running next week.

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