Kieren Jack speaks publicly about feud that has split his family
THE famous father of Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack has drawn the Prime Minister into a family feud in the lead-up to his son’s 200th AFL game.
Sydney
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sydney. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Garry Jack reveals the cause of public family feud with Swans star Kieran
- Jack family at war over model girlfriend
KIEREN Jack has broken his silence on the family feud between himself, his brother Brandon and his parents Garry and Donna Jack, declaring his loyalties remain with his partner Charlotte Goodlet.
With Brandon standing nearby in support at a media conference at the SCG this morning, the Swans co-captain indicated reconciliation with his parents was not imminent.
The bitter family feud has taken the spotlight off his 200th AFL game against Geelong on Friday.
GARRY JACK: ‘IT CUTS YOU TO YOUR HEART’
He said the family dispute was a private matter and he was “pretty disappointed” it had become public via tweets from the wife of his father, NRL great Garry Jack.
“It hasn’t been nice,” Jack said.
“I’m not going to get caught into commenting too much on it or getting into ‘He said, she said’, I think that’s probably an immature approach.
“My priorities of support are firmly with my partner and my little brother who I love and care for very much.
“As distressing as the events have been the support we’ve given each other on top of friends and other family members, team mates and the Sydney Swans in general highlights to us how lucky we are to have those people in our lives.”
Garry showed some wry humour on the saga when he Tweeted the Prime Minister: “I bet your (SIC) glad I took the front page of the telegraph today”
@TurnbullMalcolm well I bet your glad I took the front page of telegraph today.
— Garry Jack (@jimmyjack244) July 5, 2016
Earlier this week it emerged that Jack’s girlfriend is at the centre of a bitter family feud that hit rock bottom when the AFL star shunned his parents when giving out tickets to 200th game this Friday against Geelong.
“I’m in the public eye and I acknowledge that family did a lot to get me in this position. There is a private matter going on,” Jack said.
“It’s been tough, she hasn’t deserved the treatment that she’s received. But she’s strong, she’s an independent woman, she’s not just a model — I can tell you that. I love her very much.”
OTHER NEWS: FORMER CRICKETER’S MILK TRUCK HIJACKED THEN BURNT
Jack will play his 200th game for the Swans on Friday night against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. When asked if his parents were welcome at the he replied.
“They’re not banned.” He also went on to say it’s up to his parents to decide if they want to attend the match.
“I acknowledge what my family did a lot to get me in the position I’m in,” Jack said.
“The current state there is a private matter which is going on and I’m not going to discuss that.”
Jack said he was trying to focus on Friday night’s top-four showdown against the Cats.
“Pure and simple we want the win, it’s less about me playing 200 games. There are other things in life, it’s a big game for this club and that’s my priority, make sure we get the win.”
“It’s been a challenge no doubt, but I’ve got no other option. I think I can deal with it. Come Friday night, I’ll be ready.”
Garry Jack and his wife Donna have been left shocked and saddened by this week’s snub, telling Kieren via Twitter that “family is what gets you there”.
Goodlet, who recently moved from Perth to be with Kieren, last night refused to shed any light on the reasons for her rift with Donna.
Ms Goodlet, a 2013 finalist in the Miss Universe Australia pageant, has been the partner of Kieren Jack for three years.
But it is understood Kieren’s parents do not approve of the relationship and have made their feelings known to Swans officials.
But the long-running private dispute became public yesterday when Donna Jack scolded her son in a tweet for not wanting his parents to attend Friday’s match.
Donna tweeted “@kjack_15 so sad. Dad 200 RL you 200 AFL & you don't want us there, your parents. No appreciation for all the yrs helping you get there’’.
Sources close to the club said the rift between Kieren and his parents has been ongoing for more than 12 months.
AFL rival’s bold plan to poach Swans star
While an AFL rival expects a star Swans midfielder to see out his contract at Sydney, the club says it will “certainly monitor the situation”.
Trading places? How the biggest AFL deals will get done
Almost every AFL club is poised to get busy this trade period. See who your club is looking at, who they should be chasing and how they will get their deals done in our ultimate guide.