Player of the Week: Brandon Jack
By Alison Zell
Kieren Jack’s story is well known. The son of a Rugby League legend, Kieren switched codes, choosing AFL over League and fighting his way from the Sydney Swans Rookie List to become co-captain of the red and white.
But just as significantly, youngest brother Brandon has followed in the footsteps of his eldest brother, choosing AFL and pushing for a senior spot at the Swans.
A QBE Sydney Swans Academy member, Jack was selected with pick 57 in last year’s Rookie Draft after just a few years in the game, and has impressed with his hard work and determination.
“Kieren was probably the big factor in me choosing to play AFL,” Brandon said. “It was that as well as playing Rugby League, I was getting smashed each week by guys twice my size and I was just looking for something new, so it all kind of came together.”
Brandon, from Cherrybrook in Sydney’s Hills District, started off his football career with Westbrook Juniors. He then played at the Pennant Hills Demons for two years before he got the call to try out for what would eventually become the Swans Academy.
A member of the Under-18s NSW/ACT Rams side in his final year of school, he also played as a top-up for the Sydney Swans reserves in the NEAFL competition.
Invited to join the Swans in pre-season training, Brandon trained with the Swans for over a month, fighting for a spot on their list at December’s Rookie Draft.
“It was pretty tough; I hadn’t done that kind of running before, especially every day,” Brandon said.
“I was used to going down to the park on my own and kicking the footy whereas now I had to come in each day, do an hour or an hour and a half of skills and a big running session so it was fairly tough but it was really good.”
As a NSW player, the Swans had access to Brandon before the other clubs, choosing to list him as a NSW priority selection.
“It was a big relief (being drafted) because it was something I worked hard for for five years,” he said.
“But throughout my whole childhood the goal was always to play professional sport so it was a big step towards achieving that goal.
“It was one of my dreams come true but at the same time I knew there was a lot of work still to be done so I kind of just enjoyed it and then thought, ‘Ok what’s the next thing that I need to focus on?’”
Like Kieren, Brandon was able to stay in Sydney and pursue his football dream in his home state. A diabetic and a celiac, Brandon moved into Kieren’s house in the eastern suburbs of Sydney to be close to the club.
“I really wanted to stay here,” Brandon said.
“I think Mum and Dad are really happy I’m here as well and Kieren’s pretty happy that I’m here too so it worked out nicely.”
Brandon played three pre-season NAB Cup games and has spent the 2013 season honing his skills in the Swans reserves.
“It’s definitely made me think about my football a lot more, especially the game-style we play as well getting my body right.
“Before, just playing for Pennant Hills, we didn’t really focus too much on that but it’s my job now so I have a full-time focus on that.
“I think I’ve been improving each week and my big focus now is to just keep learning my role as that small forward, using my pace as much as I can, using my strengths and then hopefully at the end of the year, being put up onto the senior list.”
Brandon was one of four NSW players to be selected by the Swans in the 2013 off-season to take the number of NSW/ACT players at the club to 11 – the highest it’s ever been.
“This year there was a lot of boys taken from NSW – there was myself, Dan Robinson, Dane Rampe and Sam Naismith all at the Swans – and there’s definitely a lot of talent coming through,” Brandon said.
“AFL in NSW is coming along really well.”
The youngest Jack brother is settling in well to life as a professional footballer.
“It’s fantastic, I’ve been around the club for a bit with the Academy but being in the change rooms with the guys and getting to know all the players, it’s unreal.
“It’s a dream come true and there’s a lot of great blokes here.”