Super-sub Jack happy to be back
Kieren Jack returned from injury wearing the substitute's vest, one he now hopes not have to wear again
The reigning club champion made a successful return to the AFL following an ankle injury he suffered in round six - albeit for the first time as a substitute - and gave the Swans the spark they needed after Richmond's late surge.
With the Swans trailing by one point midway through the fourth quarter - after leading for the majority of the game - the stocky midfielder broke a tackle and set up Ryan O'Keefe for his first goal.
It was a defining moment in the match as the Swans went on to kick another two goals in as many minutes before holding out the Tigers again to eventually clinch victory.
The 23-year-old laughed off his 'super-sub' tag but admitted the new substitute rule helped him ease his way back into senior football.
"I'm very happy to hand it (the super sub tag) over to Gary Rohan when he comes back," Jack joked after Sunday's 10-point victory over Richmond.
"The ankle pulled up really well and I'm really happy with it. Really for me it was the perfect introduction back into senior footy coming on as a sub."
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire admitted it was difficult to come up with the best method to bring Jack back but decided to use him as a substitute.
The decision proved valuable in the end as Jack helped steer his side to victory with 13 possessions, four tackles and a goal assist in less than 40 minutes of game time.
"The thing I wanted to do when I came on was to have an impact," Jack said.
"When you're sitting down for two-and-a-half quarters you're just itching to get into the game. I came on with fresh legs and just wanted to have an impact and there were some good signs to come out of it."
The Swans now face Carlton in Melbourne on Sunday before returning home to play reigning premiers Collingwood in a blockbuster at ANZ Stadium on June 25.
Jack said he is looking forward to the challenge of playing two of the competition's best teams.
"Carlton and Collingwood are two top four teams and we want to be able to compete with these teams and we're going to go down there (to Melbourne) really confident," he said.
"Carlton beat us on our home soil up here in my last game [in round six] when I got injured so we owe one back to them and the boys are really looking forward to it."