Sydney local Kieren Jack to lead Swans
By Alison Zell
Sydney-born Kieren Jack was named co-captain of the Sydney Swans on Friday alongside fellow New South Welshman Jarrad McVeigh.
Jack will captain the Swans for the first time in 2013 with Adam Goodes standing down from captaincy of the 2012 Premiers. Goodes will continue to play a part in the leadership group.
Jack grew up in Cherrybrook in Sydney, playing AFL for the first time in primary school as part of the Paul Kelly Cup.
He went on to play junior football with the Pennant Hills Demons, also McVeigh’s junior club, and the NSW/ACT Rams Under-18s team.
The 25-year-old son of Rugby League legend Garry Jack has played 114 games in red and white after being drafted to the Swans’ rookie list in 2005.
Tom Harley, General Manager of AFL NSW/ACT said Jack’s journey to the captaincy of his home team has made him a role model for aspiring AFL stars across the state.
“It’s great to see two fantastic NSW-born players leading the Swans in the 2013 season,” Harley said.
“Kieren and Jarrad both came through the NSW talent programs and have shown players all over the state that there are great opportunities for local talent.
“I hope they inspire the next generation of local players in NSW and the ACT.”
Jack grew up supporting the Swans and said the honour of captaining the club he barracked for as a kid was a dream come true.
“It’s a club that’s meant a lot to me, it’s the reason why I began to play AFL footy,” Jack said.
“I’m obviously really honoured, really humbled to receive this opportunity to be co-captain with Jarrad.
“It’s great for me personally, coming from Sydney and growing up here and to be named co-captain of such a wonderful club, it’s awesome.
“Not many people get to play at the club they grew up barracking for but to be co-captain is even more special.”
Coach John Longmire, himself from Corowa in southern NSW, said Jack’s rise to the captaincy of the Swans was a great result for AFL in NSW.
“It’s a good story for football in NSW,” Longmire said.
“I grew up in country NSW, these two (Jack and McVeigh) were a bit more urban than me but it’s a great opportunity for AFL in NSW to be able to have two local products like Jarrad and Kieren heading the football club.
“It’s great for the football club to have two local boys as co-captains.”
Along with his promotion, Jack, a Play AFL ambassador, also signed a new three-year deal with the Swans.
Jack will take to the field for the first time as captain on Saturday night when the Swans take on the Gold Coast Suns at 7pm at Blacktown International Sportspark.
