South Barwon defender Jack Driver draws on inspiration from the Swans’ deeds of the past
A South Barwon constant has lifted the lid on what inspires him, as he goes from Swans junior to on the cusp of grand final redemption.
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A South Barwon constant has lifted the lid on what is motivating his quest for the Swans’ first GFNL senior premiership in 11 years.
And it’s not a disappointing 50-point loss to Leopold in last year’s decider.
Defender Jack Driver, second in the GFNL for intercept marks, told this masthead a combination of his “unique” coach Mark Neeld’s methods, some dogged and determined teammates and the unyielding support of some former Swans players was providing stimulus in 2024.
Driver has proudly come through the South Barwon system, from junior, to the dog days of his early years in seniors to ultimately a premiership threat and a chance for atonement.
Driver, who also plays cricket for Geelong City, played his first senior game with South Barwon in 2014 before the Swans recorded consecutive finishes of eighth and then ninth from 15-17.
However, he said it was the long time supporters, former players and coaches further down the grades who were inspiring him to go one better in 2024.
“Knowing what a premiership and success on the field looks like for them, that gives me pride that I can be part of that journey for them as well,” Driver said of some of those ex-players.
“Half of our junior coaches are still running the burger tent and in there Thursday nights having meals, and Saturday after the game having a beer and buying jugs for the boys after a win.
“That gives you more of a sense of pride, knowing you’re doing it for your teammates and these people who have helped you along your football journey.”
The accountant, who now works alongside East Belmont batting star Sean O’Neill at the Jack Sing medallist’s burgeoning firm, said his Swans teammates continued to have a degree of autonomy and control with how they go about tackling training and match day.
However, he said Neeld still has a specific focus on non-negotiables each Saturday.
“He instils a lot of belief in the playing group, backs us in if we think that’s the right thing to do at the time,” he said.
“You’ve got the backing of all of the coaches and all of your teammates.
“We’ve narrowed our focus down to five key things.
“We feel like if we can nail those five things each week we should be in a good position to win the game.”
When asked what kind of a coach Neeld was, Driver offered “unique”.
“He has a great relationship with all the players, his honesty and the passion that he coaches with, it definitely brings out the best in all our players,” he said.
“When he talks to you, sometimes it feels like he’s looking through your soul.
“He’s probably more passionate about getting the win than any of the players out there on the ground.
“It gives you a massive amount of confidence to go out and execute the plans we’ve had in place.
“(The coaching group are) just as invested in winning football as the 22 players running out.”
While producing league-leading numbers down back, that faith from Neeld also saw Driver shift forward and kick two goals against Joeys in Round 14.
“I was playing so bad down back, Mark put me up forward,” he said
“He instils belief in everyone.”
Despite kicking three goals in last year’s qualifying final against Colac too, Driver is adamant he’s no swingman.
He said the evolution of Rowan Gough, Blair Huggins and Lachlan Weidemann had seen the club’s intercept possessions go “through the roof” this year.
The Swans are number one for intercept marks this season, marginally ahead of reigning premier Leopold.
That being said, Joeys have managed to nullify that aspect of the Swans’ game, winning both games albeit in close encounters in 2024.
Meanwhile, Driver said Swans gun Fraser Fort, who kicked five second term goals against St Mary’s last Sunday, was a quiet but determined force who wasn’t scared about ensuring standards are kept high.
“He just goes about his business the way he wants to go about his business,” he said.
“He’s the best player in the GFNL I think, he’s the biggest X Factor. He turned the game on its head in the second quarter.
“I’ve known Fraser for a long time ... he’s dedicated and his passion to win games of football, is huge, he wants to win so bad if that means he needs to tell someone they haven’t done the right thing ... then he’ll tell them.
“And the boys all love him for it.”
Meanwhile, he said Nullawil recruit Patrick Kelly had been a massive pick up for the Swans in the midfield.
Kelly has led the competition for pressure acts by 17 more than his nearest opponent (Colac’s Aaron Hawker), and is in the league’s top 10 for groundball gets (fifth), tackles and ball up clearances (both sixth), hardball gets (eighth) and midfield tackles (ninth).
“He’s had a massive impact, his toughness in the contest and explosiveness and speed,” he said.
“It just pairs so well with what we already have in the midfield.
“Classic country fella, he’s a bit of a legend around the club as well.”
While Kelly has complemented the likes of Doyle Madigan and Taylor Mulraney, the latter will miss Saturday against St Joseph’s with a shoulder issue after seeing a specialist on Wednesday.
“When he’s running out with you, it gives you a bit more pep in your step,” Driver said of Mulraney.
“His want to win is so big, you know when he’s out there he’s doing everything he can to win.”
Driver said last year’s loss in the decider to the Lions was not a motivating factor in 2024.
“It’s a new season,” he said.
“Last year’s loss has no impact on what happened this year at all, Mark’s been really good at driving that home, we can only impact what happens at the present moment.
“What we did do half an hour, a year, two years ago on the footy field has no impact on what we’re going to be doing.”
Originally published as South Barwon defender Jack Driver draws on inspiration from the Swans’ deeds of the past
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