Kieren Jack keen to keep successful Grand Final record in tact, unlike dad Garry in rugby league

The Swans against the Hawks is the AFL's dream Grand Final and Lance Franklin is of course the star attraction this week, but the man himself has been keep to deflect any praise for his stellar 2014 onto his teammates.

Kieren Jack is hungry for more premiership glory when the Sydney Swans play in this week’s AFL Grand Final against Hawthorn. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

KIEREN Jack and his famous rugby league father Garry joke about lots of things, but not Grand Finals.

A Swans victory in Saturday’s AFL grand final against Hawthorn at the MCG will help ­balance the family ledger.

It would give Kieren Jack a second premiership in three years, a complete contrast to ­father Garry, who lost rugby league grand finals with ­Balmain in 1988 and ’89.

“The memories I’ve talked to dad about grand finals, his are very emotional, very upsetting,” Kieren said before training at the SCG on Tuesday.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE IN ITUNES

“He was rapt to be able to compete in grand finals but to not get the job done and to lose in extra time and the heartbreak of two grand finals is something I think really sticks with him.

“To be able to win in 2012 was amazing not only for me but for him as well. He could enjoy that.

“The great thing is I get another opportunity to do it again.”

In 1988 the now-merged ­Tigers lost to Canterbury 24-12, and the following season had a heartbreaking 19-14 loss to Canberra in extra time. Balmain led 14-2 but were run down with a minute and 41 seconds left.

“I don’t rub it in,” the usually jovial Jack said.

The Sydney Swans have played down suggestions that Lance Franklin will struggle to cope with heavy media scrutiny in the lead up to the AFL grand final.

For the son of a rugby league legend to be leading the Sydney Swans into an AFL grand final is one of the great stories of the code’s expanding appeal north of the Murray.

Jack claims AFL is now so much bigger in Sydney than it was when he took up the game as a raw but determined 15-year-old.

“I definitely think it is going places,” Jack said.

“I know with my brother Brandon coming through, he’s seven years younger than me and AFL is now played in schools. Kids will bring an AFL ball to school.

“Our (Swans’) success is definitely helping that, along with the introduction of Buddy (Franklin). With the (Giants and Swans) academies the AFL is certainly on the right path.”

Ben Dorries, Jon Anderson and James Hooper Saturdays upcoming AFL grand final between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks.

The 16 TV and video cameras which crowded around Lance Franklin’s press conference at the SCG yesterday highlight how big he has become during his first season in Sydney.

However, Jack insists it is not all about Franklin.

“It’s an attraction with Buddy but it’s an attraction with the whole team, isn’t it,” Jack said.

“It has been a great year for the club. It has been exciting, we’ve been able to get record crowds and win a minor premiership.”

“It’s all generating interest in the club and with two teams in Sydney now it’s great for footy in generally. Hopefully we can get the job done this week and make it really memorable.

“We know he (Franklin) is a great player. I’ve been really impressed with his professionalism and how he conducts himself at the club and away from the footy club getting his body right.

“He’s a great athlete but it doesn’t just happen for him. There are 21 other players on the field that have to make it work for him but he brings some really special skills to the table. He’s a really special player.”

Originally published as Kieren hungry for more premiership glory