Captain Jack the milestone man

Currently recognised as one of the Swans most integral players, Jack was plucked from obscurity, and humble beginnings.

“I wished and dreamed that I could play senior football but there were a lot of doubters of me… I probably doubted myself a little bit too,” admitted Jack.

“The first two years were real developing years for me… It was built off the back of strong pre seasons and working hard.”

Son of Rugby League great, Garry Jack, Kieran’s decision to focus on AFL was met with support from his father.

Following in the footsteps of AFL star Lenny Hayes, Jack played in the Sydney AFL for Pennant Hills, where he impressed with his ability to find the ball regularly, use it efficiently and tackle strongly, despite an unusual playing style.

Jack was recruited in a premiership year for the Swans, in the 2005 Rookie Draft at pick number 57.

Hard work and consistent performances for the Swans Reserves over two years paid off for Jack, as he was selected to play his first game in the red and white in 2007.

“Certainly in my first year I was a long way off… I had to improve and get better very quickly,” said Jack.

“My background in AFL football wasn’t big. I had to learn the game and the patterns of the game.”

The 2008 season proved to be a breakout year for Jack, after playing two matches the previous year. He featured in all but one game for the Swans in 2008, and received a rising star nomination in a year where Sydney finished 6th on the ladder, and played two finals matches.

Jack’s rise to AFL stardom was a rapid one, and three years after his debut, he would go on to win the 2010 Bob Skilton Medal as the club’s best and fairest player for that year.

So impressive was Jack throughout the 2010 season, that he was selected to play in Australia’s International Rules side to face Ireland at the end of the regular season.

Jack’s career highlight no doubt came in 2012, when he proved to be an integral member in driving the Swans’ Bloods culture, in a premiership year. Following this premiership success, Jack was awarded the co-Captaincy of the Sydney Swans at the beginning of 2013.

In the first year of his captaincy, Jack was made an All-Australian, and continues to hold the co-Captaincy at the club he grew up supporting.

As for this weekend’s game, Jack outlined that, while excited for the clash, the Swans are still focused on the task at hand.

“It’s a big game,” said Jack.

“It’s vitally important. Port, they’re two games clear, they’ve been the benchmark.

“They’ve been outstanding in a lot of areas. We’ll need to be on, we want to take it to them.”

Jack, and the Swans will be looking to make it eight wins in a row when they face Port Adelaide this Saturday at the SCG, starting at 2:10pm.