Review: 28 by Brandon Jack

28 by Brandon Jack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a phenomenal book.

I am an avid Sydney Swans fan, and I must admit my interest in reading this book initiated from my cult like following of the Swans, but after reading the book, I believe it will be thoroughly enjoyed by an sports fan, not just AFL.

Brandon is a local Sydney boy, who group up in the Hills Shire, his father was the infamous Garry Jack from Balmain Tigers and the Australian Rugby team, Brandon was the youngest of three boys Kieran, Rhys and Brandon.

The eldest son Kieran was a professional footy player for the Sydney Swans, he was a premiership player, club captain and all Australian.

Football was imbedded into the boys since they were young, it was similar to a religion to them, the boys all grew up playing local rugby, with the boys playing for numerous local comps, with Rhys going on to play Harold Matts for Parramatta and Leichardt.

Kieran left the family tradition of League and moved on to AFL, Brandon also left the family comfort of League and changed codes to AFL.

The pressure footballers put themselves under every day to become successful and to play in the seniors team, is unthinkable, they literally live and breath footy every moment of their lives, every decision that Brandon makes is in regards to how it effects his chances of being selected for a senior footy game.

Brandon leaves the family home and moves into a club organised share house with some of his other team mates, closer to the SCG. Brandon works hard, to make senior team selection, and the opportunity always seems to be hanging in front of him, like a carrot on string, he is told numerous times, that he is doing everything right, but just doesn't see to be enough to make team selection.

He really punishes himself and works himself hard, physically and mentally to become the athlete that the coach's require him to be. He pushes and pushes himself so hard, that it is extremely tolling on his body mentally and physically.

Brandon opens up a lot about his personal life, about the parties, the drinking, the excessive amounts of alcohol, drug usage, sex, women, his own personal sexuality choices.

Brandon also talks about his music career, his band, the music he has written and produced.

Brandon is a gentle soul, with a lot of emotion and feeling, I feel that his love hate relationship with football, truly took it's toll on him, and came very close to destroying him.

The pressure these young athletes put themselves through just for team selection, and then adding to the mix the binge drinking, night life, parties and sexual encounters, these athletes are both mentally and physically challenged.

As a Swans fan, this book is a marvelous trip down memory lane, reading about past players, and reliving glorious moments like the 2012 Premiership and then the roads to the 2014 and 2016 Grand Final appearances.

John Longmire is an outstanding coach, and I will be forever proud to call the Sydney Swans my team, particularly when you read how the coaching staff install mental health sessions for their athletes, and are constantly taking care of their wellbeing, at the same time of training them to be elite athletes and footballers.

The influence these athletes have had over one another, in particular the way the senior team and leadership group have assisted with the first and 2nd year players is a great read. Particular the influence of the likes of Adam Goodes and Rhyce Shaw.

Brandon touches briefly on the racism incidents with Adam Goodes, but what he does highlight is the incredibly amazing man that Adam Goodes that is, his influence on young children and the fans, and the respect that his fellow team mates and Swans staff and fans have for him.

Respect is a huge part of the football culture, and it is great to read about how the club and it's staff encourage and influence the respect for one another.

Brandon is a multi talented young man, and a wonderful writer.

I was extremely lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book by publisher Allen and Unwin, and in doing so, I am more then happy to offer my honest review.

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