Youngest Jack to make his debut
In a meteoric rise to the AFL, young Swans forward Brandon Jack will play make his debut for the Sydney Swans when they take on the Adelaide Crows in Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
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 the extraordinary story of the Jack family added another remarkable chapter on Thursday when the youngest of the Jack brothers was elevated off the Swans rookie list and named to play his first game.
A Sydney Swans Academy member, Brandon was selected with pick 57 in last year’s Rookie Draft after just a few years in the game.
He impressed with his hard work and determination and has improved in every game he has played for the Swans reserves this season.
Swans coach John Longmire said Brandon’s speed and tackling made him a logical inclusion for Lewis Jetta, who will miss the match with shin soreness.
“Brandon is one of the first players to come through the QBE Sydney Swans Academy system, and while he’s still got a long way to go, it’s a credit to the Academy program for how far he has come,” Longmire said.
“He’s been improving in our reserves and this week he’s got the opportunity to play his first game of football, which is just such a great story for himself to be able to do that but also for his brother and his family.”
Fittingly, it was Kieren who broke the good news to his younger brother.
Speaking to SwansTV on Thursday, Brandon said he couldn’t wait to run out onto AAMI Stadium alongside his big brother.
“Kieren came down and grabbed me from lunch and said “What have you done, John Longmire is really angry at you” and I can read Kieren like a book, so I went down and John and Kieren sat in front of me and Kieren got to tell me that I was playing my first senior game,” Brandon said.
“We both couldn’t stop smiling and he told me that he just couldn’t wait to run out with me and it’s the same with me.
“It’s something we’ve wanted to do pretty much our whole childhood, so it’s great.”
The 19-year-old has been in impressive form in the NEAFL this season, and was named as one of the Swans reserves’ best following a three-goal haul against Belconnen last weekend.
The talented teenager said while the news of his selection had come as a bit of a surprise, he knew his recent performances had set him on the right track for a senior berth.
“I definitely think I’ve been building up to it, but to come this soon is a bit of a shock for me, but I’m ready for it,” Brandon said.
“I think definitely the coaches wouldn’t have put me in there if I wasn’t ready for it.
“The main thing is that I’ve been getting better each week.”
While Brandon admits he has a long way to go to meet the achievements of his father and brother, the youngest Jack confirmed that he does now hold a family record.
“I haven’t really gotten my advice from dad yet but I just talked to him briefly on the phone and told him that I hold the record now for the youngest in the family to make their debut, so I’ve finally got one over him,” he said.
Brandon said his father would be in the stands on Saturday afternoon, along with his mother Donna and older brother Rhys.
“They couldn’t get on the plane fast enough,” Brandon said.
“My other brother Rhys will be going over too and he’s been a really big influence over the years and he’s going to come out as well, so the whole family will be there.”