Ben Cunnington holds no fear when it comes to playing on the league’s best midfielders, so there’s little wonder he can’t wait to face Swans’ star Josh Kennedy.

With Luke Parker and Kieren Jack out of Sydney’s midfield mix due to injury, Kennedy took his game to another level against Fremantle last week.

“It’s going to be a huge test, whoever plays in there,” Cunnington told NMFC.com.au.

“I probably thrive on it a bit more … (playing on) the likes of Kennedy, I love watching him and how he goes about it.

“To play alongside him is fun. It’s a challenge, but I look forward to that stuff.”

The Kangaroos had a light training run on ANZ Stadium on Friday afternoon, before the focus quickly turned to Saturday night’s do or die clash.

“The boys are up and about. There’s plenty of self-belief,” Cunnington said.

“I feel we are in better shape this time compared to last year. We can’t wait until 7 o’clock comes tomorrow.”

The Swans saluted by 71 points in the 2014 preliminary final, but Cunnington said North will take confidence from the way it ran out the game against Richmond last week.

Rested a fortnight ago as part of the infamous ‘North nine’, Cunnington is feeling fresh and ready to go.

“(I’m) feeling good. Even with the game down I feel we’ll be better off for it tomorrow night. I can’t wait,” he said.

“We got embarrassed last season, but it’s a new year, new season, new playing group … they’ve (the Swans) got a different team.

“We are feeling in good stead so tomorrow night comes we’ll just be trying to get the four points.”