SYDNEY Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy has applauded opposing players' calls for fans not to boo Adam Goodes.
Goodes has been sporadically booed by opposition fans over the past two seasons, but the jeering has intensified in recent weeks.
Ahead of North Melbourne's clash with the Swans at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Kangaroos midfielder Jack Ziebell said he hoped his club's fans wouldn't boo the dual Brownlow medallist and former Australian of the Year.
"I think it is great from Ziebell that he has come out and said it and I think (Hawthorn's) Jordan Lewis did it a week or two ago, which is great," Kennedy said on Thursday.
"From our point of view, we can't really control it. We have just got to support 'Goodesy' on the field and get around him as much as we can."
Kennedy praised Goodes' recent performances after he struggled with form earlier in the season.
"His form has been fantastic the last few weeks after a challenging start to the year, so it's great to see him back and really contributing to the team," Kennedy said.
"We've just got to support him on the field, and of course off it, but more so on Saturday on the field."
The Swans take on an inconsistent Kangaroos side who last week upset West Coast in Hobart.
"The way they played last week - their intensity around the contest, their tackling pressure - was ferocious and it was over the course of the four quarters. We probably haven't done that the last two weeks and we'll need to, so that's what we're preparing for," Kennedy said.
"We're expecting a really tough contest."
North Melbourne interim coach Darren Crocker also hoped Kangaroos fans would be respectful of Goodes during Saturday’s clash.
"Adam Goodes, as Jack (Ziebell) said, is a champion of the game. I'm not sure what's going on with the general public at the moment, but we're really confident that we've got terrific supporters," Crocker said on Thursday.
"(They are) loyal supporters to us at North Melbourne, but also loyal supporters to the game and can recognise true champions when they run around.
"I would be astounded if the North Melbourne people didn’t pay Adam Goodes the respect he deserves."
