Article courtesy of www.sydneyswans.com.au
BY TANYA PAULUOCCI
When Brandon Jack was led by older brother and Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren into John Longmire’s office after training this afternoon, he was hoping it would be good news.
After weeks of strong performances in the Swans reserves, Kieren was able to deliver the exciting news to Brandon that he would be making his AFL debut this weekend against the Adelaide Crows.
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, who was taken at pick 57 in the 2012 Rookie Draft, 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.”
With Lewis Jetta missing this weekend’s match with shin soreness, Brandon said he believed his speed pushed his name onto the selection table this week.
“With Lewis Jetta going out, definitely what the team needs is some speed, so I might be playing along that half forward role and just trying to use my pace as best I can to get over the back or just provide an option for the midfielders,” he said.
“For me it’s about using my pace defensively and getting chase down tackles and trying to use my pace to get on the goals, and I’ve been doing that quite well in the reserves.”
Brandon’s debut is yet another moment in the Jack family highlights reel, following on from the success of older brother Kieren and father Garry Jack, who was an Australian rugby league great.
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.”
Last Modified on 07/06/2013 09:00
