Brandon Jack striving to join brother Kieren as first-choice Sydney Swan
WHEN Kieran Jack and Brandon Jack played together for the first time in 2013, Kieren told John Longmire a pair of Jacks was better than one.
Sydney
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WHEN Kieran and Brandon Jack played together for the first time in 2013, Kieren told Sydney Swans coach John Longmire that two Jacks were better than one.
Now his case is even stronger with his younger brother in super shape after finishing his third pre-season, again without missing a single session.
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“I’ve been very fortunate to stay out on the track,” Brandon Jack told the Daily Telegraph.
“I try to take good care of my body and being able to put sessions together really helps coming into the season. I’ve followed Kieren closely and I knew the third pre-season was the most important for him and it with the season he secured his spot in the senior team.”
All the signs are good for Jack junior as he looks to secure a spot in the side alongside his older brother. Seventeen games in his first two years (nine in 2013 and eight in 2014) is the perfect platform to go to the next level.
“He’s given himself every opportunity to make the senior team,” Kieren Jack said. “His body is in good nick, he knows the game plan and he’s played some games now. He’ll get the opportunity in the NAB Challenge and he has to make the most of it.”
Brandon’s ambitions will be helped enormously by his physical development which has seen him go from a scrawny teenager into an AFL type body in just over two years.
“He’s filled out a bit and grown into a man’s body,” Kieren said.
“He’s challenging me in the weights now so you can see the growth in that area. He thinks he’s got me in a lot of areas but I beg to differ.
“It’s the byproduct of doing his third pre-season and he’s not just doing it in a normal fashion. He’s been able to do it at a very high level of quality. He hasn’t missed a session since he started at the club (At the end of 2012). He’s been lucky with his body but he’s looked after himself and this year he’s gone to another level.”
Kieran made the switch from Rugby League (the game their famous dad Garry Jack played for with great distinction for the Balmain Tigers and Australia) at the age of 12, Brandon was almost 16 when he made the change.
“When he came into the club he was probably a bit overwhelmed by all the different concepts in AFL,” Kieren said.
“He’s been able to absorb information from coaches and other players and then act quickly on it. He’s a bright kid, he’s always been able to pick up information at school and he’s transferred that to the AFL.”
Bright probably underrates Brandon’s academic ability, he scored 98 for his HSC two years ago and has applied that brain power to learning the complexities of becoming an AFL footballer.
Following in the footsteps of a brother who is co-captain of the club could present a challenge to any player but the 20 year old sees it as an advantage.
“It forces me to strive for the standards he sets and he’s a role model for me,” Brandon said.
Kieren has played in every one of the 17 games Brandon has played in and won 15 of them adding to his case that a pair of Jacks is better than one.
“You don’t take being able to play together for granted it’s rare,” Kieren said.
“We’re really good friends off the field and we help each other out. It’s great to see your younger brother come through and develop as a footballer and as a man.
“I’m very proud of him.”