Local hero Jack to co-captain Swans

Adam Goodes has stepped down as a co-captain of the Sydney Swans, as he and the club look to usher in a new, younger generation of leaders.

Sydney Swans co-captains Jarrad McVeigh, left, and Kieren Jack at the SCG. Picture: Mark Evans. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE Swans can lay claim to truly being Sydney's team after the premiers appointed local hero Kieren Jack as co-captain alongside Jarrad McVeigh.

With Adam Goodes stepping down from his leadership role, all three key leaders at the club are now NSW born and bred.

Swans coach John Longmire grew up in the Riverina town of Corowa.

Both McVeigh and Jack played their local junior football for the Pennant Hills Demons.

"It's great for me personally coming from Sydney," Jack said.

"Not many people get to play at the club they grew up barracking for, and to be made captain is even more special. It's a club that has meant a lot to me.

"It's the reason why I decided to play AFL footy, looking at blokes like Paul Kelly running around.

"To then get picked up by (the Swans) was very special."

The son of rugby league great Garry Jack, Kieren's rise to a leadership role at the premiers has been remarkable. He only became serious about Aussie rules football at 15 and had to fight hard for a spot on the Swans' rookie list.

Following his elevation to the senior list in 2007, his breakthrough year came in 2010 when he won the club's best and fairest award.

"He's got there through his desire," his dad told The Daily Telegraph.

"I'm very proud of him."

Longmire has seen Jack's development as a player since he arrived at the club in 2006.

"What stood out when he came to the club was his absolute determination to be the best player he could be," Longmire said. "I've been able to see both Jarrad and Kieren play their whole careers.

"They were very similar in the way they learned their footy; they were both run-with players. They played on the best in the competition and are still able to do that if needed."

The Swans have again shown their great ability to manage key personnel, providing a smooth hand over of responsibility. At the end of the 2010 season, Longmire took over as coach and the club didn't miss a beat.

They are again ahead of the game, with Goodes there to help Jack's transition into a senior leadership role.

"I've been under some fantastic leaders at this football club," Jack said.

"I've seen what they can do, the way they've driven the group to succeed and continually get better.

"We never look back, we continue to look forward."

Goodes made his decision to step down after the Coffs Harbour training camp last month."It was nice to hear the voices of the leaders in the room really stepping up," Goodes said of the training camp.

"I could tell it was the right time to step down and give someone the opportunity which I had four years ago.

"I had the likes of Craig Bolton and Brett Kirk mentoring me in that role. Macca is ready to mentor someone. I don't see it as a backward step, I see it as a great step moving forward for our footy club.

"We've had fantastic leaders and the succession in leaders is something we can hang our hat on."

Jack has committed for another three years. Goodes is signed until the end of 2014.

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