Captain Jack ready for challenge
New Swans co-captain Kieren Jack tells SwansTV he is excited by the challenge of leading the club, starting on Saturday against the Suns
Following Adam Goodes’ decision to step down from the top job, Jack will take up the reins for the first time on Saturday evening when the Swans take on the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown.
Speaking to SwansTV following the announcement, Jack said he could not wait to step up into the role this weekend.
“I am excited,” Jack said.
“Jarrad (McVeigh) has actually already mentioned that I can toss the coin on Saturday and talk to the boys, so I’m looking forward to that.
“I think it’s just an added responsibility, but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
The co-captaincy marks a new chapter in what is an already great story for Jack, who was recruited to the Swans as a rookie in 2005.
The son of rugby league legend Garry Jack, Kieren fought his way into the senior team in 2007, took out the Bob Skilton Medal in 2010 and became a premiership player in 2012.
Now a co-captain of the Sydney Swans, Jack admits that he never imagined he’d take on the top job at an AFL club.
“It’s probably something I never dreamed of happening,” he said.
“I thought I may have been captain of the Balmain Tigers but that was a long time ago!
“Just to get on the list and be rookie listed was a huge achievement for me at the time, and then it was trying to getting a spot in the senior side and working hard and doing what the coaches said and now I’m cemented in the team, it’s about how can we get better.”
The 25-year-old, who only learnt of Goodes’ decision to relinquish the captaincy early this week, said he was honoured to be selected to take on the top job.
“It’s a huge honour. The Swans are such a great club and to be announced as co-captain with Jarrad is something I’ll cherish,” he said.
“John spoke to me a couple of days ago and just gave me a heads up as to where Goodsey was at and he said he sort of sensed the need for change and wanted to step down.
“He sort of hinted at me then and I took a night or so to think about it and to think about the responsibility that lies with it, but it was never something that crossed my mind to say ‘no’, it was something I wanted to jump at.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside Jarrad and helping this group improve again.”
While admitting that Goodes would be a hard act to follow, Jack said he hoped to mirror co-captain Jarrad McVeigh’s rise as one of the club’s young leaders.
“To be given the responsibility, I certainly don’t want to let the club down,” Jack said.
“It’s huge shoes to fill but I think you look at the progress that Jarrad McVeigh has made over the past few years and he’s been diligent about it and he’s grown into a fantastic leader and I hope to do the same.
“For me it’s about doing what I do well and continually playing my role consistently week in, week out for the team and to show an example for everyone on the list.”