Putting family first

THERE are times in football when rivalry is put to one side and humanity takes precedence.

Jarrad and Mark McVeigh

THERE are times in football when rivalry is put to one side and humanity takes precedence.

Last year was such a time, when Jarrad and Clementine McVeigh's daughter Luella passed away.

The weekend after Luella's passing, the Swans and Geelong players wore black armbands as Sydney ended Geelong's record-winning streak at Simonds Stadium.

Essendon players also wore black armbands the following day at Etihad Stadium. Only months earlier Mark McVeigh, Jarrad's older brother and Essendon veteran, and his wife Leanne celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter Ariana. Their pain over Luella's passing was acute.

"I was always going to wear a black armband," Mark McVeigh told The Daily Telegraph. "Without me saying anything they decided in house they all wanted to do the same thing.

"My football club through me were feeling a big sorrow for my brother."

The Bombers have known Jarrad for almost as long as Mark. Four years younger than Mark, Jarrad spent a lot of time at Windy Hill when he was in high school.

"I'd be hanging around the club when I went to Melbourne for school holidays and I got to know quite a few of the players," Jarrad said.

When the Swans signed Jarrad in 2002 with the No.5 pick in the national draft, rumours of Mark returning to his home state and reuniting with his brother circulated.

"We always wanted to play together but it didn't work out that way," Jarrad said. "I always thought he'd come back home but he's a very loyal person. When you forge friendships in a footy club you always want to be a one-club player."

Mark has established himself as a vital part of the Bombers' midfield. He is great mates with coach James Hird, having played alongside the Essendon legend for eight seasons.

He was also a candidate for the Bombers' captaincy when Matthew Lloyd retired in 2009. The job ended up going to Jobe Watson.

Mark has now played 234 games for the red and black and at 31 years of age is certain to finish his career at Windy Hill.

"It's a great thing for us to watch each other, it's the next best thing I guess," Mark said.

"AFL is what we both wanted to do since we were kids."

Unfortunately, injury has kept Mark out of today's side to face the Swans. But the brothers will have something else to celebrate soon: Jarrad and Clementine are expecting again. The baby is due next month.

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