Sydney Swans coach John Longmire gave the biggest indicator yet that the parents of Kieren Jack are persona-non-grata at the club, throwing his support behind his embattled co-captain but offering none to the players' parents.
A week of turmoil that has overshadowed the 200th AFL game of Swans co-captain Jack looks to continue all the way down to Geelong where Jack will reach his milestone against the Cats after Longmire praised the response from Kieren, his partner Charlotte and the youngest brother, Brandon.
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Kieren Jack breaks silence on feud
Sydney Swans' Kieren Jack fronts the media about the bitter family feud that has become public in the lead up to his 200th game. Vision: The Morning Show Network Seven.
The off-field turmoil splitting the family threatened to derail the Swans and Jack's preparations for the crucial match after the player's parents Donna and former rugby league great Garry publicly criticised their son, suggesting they weren't welcome at the game.
Despite the distraction, Longmire says Jack remains focused on the game and has the full support of the club.
![Jack will play his 200th game this weekend.](/web/20160911131618im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/z/j/g/k/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gq0d5t.png/1467892600338.jpg)
"Kieren will be fine. We obviously support Kieren, Brandon and Charlotte, they've handled it very well this week and they'll be fine," Longmire said.
"He's an experienced player. He plays his 200th game this week, that's fantastic. I remember coaching him in the reserves when he was a little back-pocket player and there was a lot of question marks on him as a young player coming through and he's been able to defy those critics and have a wonderful career to this point."
When questioned by reporters, Longmire was coy on the club's relationship with Donna and Garry following the public spat in which the parents expressed their disappointment at not being afforded club-provided air travel and match tickets to Friday night's game.
"I think we can all move on from it to be honest, we've got a game this week," he said. "It's had plenty of airplay, those matters should be kept private. They weren't but from the perspective of the football club, Kieren and Brandon have handled it really well."
Jack told media on Wednesday that despite his parents' claims, they are not banned from attending the game. While the events divided one of Sydney's most famous sporting families, there remains a chance that there could be some unison on the field in Geelong on Friday night. Longmire confirmed there is a chance the two Jack brothers will play alongside one another for the first time this season with Brandon set to make the trip with the squad to Geelong.
The 22-year-old has played in the reserves for Sydney this season though his form prompted Longmire to consider him as a chance to step back into the AFL side, however he ruled-out making any decision on the final squad until match day.
"He will probably come down and travel so we will work that out when we get down there, his form has been really solid in the reserves as well," Longmire said. "We will weigh all those things up when we get to Geelong, we will have a look at the conditions and work out what the final team looks like."
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