WHEN Kieren Jack looked up at the scoreboard in the last quarter of Saturday night's second elimination final to see a replay of his goal, he was instead confronted with an image of his ecstatic father.
The giant screen at ANZ Stadium showed rugby-league legend Garry Jack celebrating feverishly as his son kicked his third goal in the Swans' 35-point victory over North Melbourne.
Seeing himself on the screen, the former Balmain champ held up three fingers to indicate Kieren’s contribution to the scoreboard.
“Dad was pretty excited,” the more junior Jack said after the game.
“He just couldn’t help himself when he saw himself on the big screen but I have told him not to do it again, (but) it is great to have him and my mother and brothers up in the stands cheering me on.”
Jack said the feeling on the field in the second half of the win over the Kangaroos was reminiscent of the Sydney Swans of old.
“It was like back to the old Swans when they were really successful,” Jack said. “There was a different feeling out there and it felt great - like the aura was back.
“Roosy (coach Paul Roos) spoke to us at half-time about how we needed to lift by 10 per cent and we would win. The guys certainly lifted and we played some really good footy in the second half.”
Promoted from the rookie list last year, Jack has had a stellar season in 2008, only missing one game - the round 20 clash against Geelong.
“In hindsight, getting dropped back to the reserves was a blessing,” Jack said.
“Roosy told me to focus on getting the ball and not worry too much about my opponent and just go out and enjoy myself. He said to have some influence and it paid dividends.
“I picked up about 40 possessions and I was back in the seniors a week later.
“At the beginning of the year I set my sights on playing about five senior games and to be constantly pushing for senior selection. It has been a dream come true so far.”
The nuggetty midfielder says the team vowed to resurrect its season in the last game of the home-and-away rounds against the Brisbane Lions.
“We spoke about it as a group that we should get back to playing footy the way we know how,” he said. “That is how we win games, by doing what we do best.”
To say Jack is very excited about the forthcoming clash against the Western Bulldogs is a severe understatement.
“In our two matches against them this year we have got off to great starts but we have been inconsistent in the match, especially the second quarter.
“We have to be prepared to play four quarters of consistent footy, not two or three, if we are to beat them.”
He's also pumped about playing a final at the MCG.
“I can’t wait for Friday night,” he said.
“There is a good feeling in the group and we can’t wait to get out there. Seriously, I am jumping out of my skin in anticipation.”