The elder of the McVeigh brothers, who returned home to New South Wales this year following a 14-season career at Essendon, has had plenty of time to watch Jarrad play and said he couldn’t be prouder of what his brother has achieved.
“I think Jarrad and I are really good friends and we’re the best of mates and to see what he’s become as a player and as a leader of the club is quite outstanding,” McVeigh told SwansTV.
“I really enjoy watching him play and seeing him grow into a really strong young man."
Mark said that Jarrad’s first five matches of the season, including a 27-possession and four-goal haul against the Gold Coast Suns in round two, was some of the best football he’s seen his younger brother play.
“Jarrad’s early part of this season was outstanding,” he said.
“He would probably be an early Brownlow Medal favourite, and I’m a bit biased, but I think he’s been leading really well.
“I couldn’t be prouder.”
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It’s not just Jarrad’s form that has caught Mark’s attention, with the former Bomber declaring that the Swans’ overall performance this season has been equally as impressive, particularly with the club’s growing injury list.
“The Swans form, you can never count them out, and the biggest thing that has stuck out for me is their resilience,” he said.
“They’ve got a number of players out – nine or ten premiership players out – and they’ve been able to win games and it’s impressive.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the footy club and what they’ve been able to do over a long period of time.
“I’ll sit back and watch and they’ll go again, very, very strong and will contend - probably with the Bombers - to win the premiership.”
Since returning from Melbourne, Mark has taken up a role with AFL NSW/ACT and is the head of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy’s northern zone, which includes the Central Coast region where he and Jarrad grew up.
Mark said he was amazed to see how much AFL had grown in northern NSW since he left to play at Essendon.
“When we were growing up it was quite difficult to get through and we were fortunate enough that we found a pathway,” he said.
“Now just coming back and not knowing a lot about what had gone on since I left 15 years ago, I’m just super impressed not only with the Swans Academy but the NSW AFL and the pathway they’ve put down for kids to play AFL.
“It’s quite outstanding and it’s great to be a part of and see that grow.
“I’ve been really impressed with the kids, as well as the parents who have been driving them so far, because we know how big NSW is - my mum and dad did the same thing - but they are so committed to their kids which is super impressive.”
