- Braeden Campbell’s grandfather passed away during the week
- The Swans star helped Sydney to a big win in the preliminary final
- Campbell was emotional after the match against GWS
Braeden Campbell played through the pain of losing a loved one to help the Sydney Swans pull off a historic final-quarter comeback to defeat GWS by six points in a thrilling AFL qualifying final.
Campbell, who came into action in the third quarter on Saturday as the Swans staged a powerful comeback to overturn a 28-point deficit and win by six points, had nine disposals, two tackles and a goal.
Swans coach John Longmire revealed after the match that Campbell had lost his grandfather Jim on Thursday.
“He would have been in the top 22, but he had a tough week,” Longmire said.
‘Unfortunately, on Thursday night he lost his grandfather, with whom he was very close.
“He was very limited in his training (on Tuesday), he had a pain in his groin and he could barely finish the training… so we were debating whether to play him.”
There were emotional scenes after the match as Campbell and her sister Hannah, who works for the Swans as a coach, were supported by their team-mates and Longmire on the pitch and then in the rooms.
“To win some big 50-50 moments, to be tough and clean after a pretty tough week, injury-wise and what was going on off the field, is a big credit to him,” Longmire said.
Braeden Campbell played through the pain of losing his grandfather to help the Swans pull off a fourth-quarter comeback that will go down in history.
Swans coach John Longmire revealed that Campbell had lost his grandfather Jim on Thursday
It should be a truly proud moment for him and his family.
‘They lost a loved one during the week.
“For them to be able to sit down as a family tonight and reflect on how BJ’s grandfather impacted him and the family is a very special moment.”
Mills singled out Campbell in his post-match speech to the team on the field.
Campbell told the Costa Dorada Newsletter who spoke to his grandfather on the phone before every AFL game.
“He was a big fan,” Campbell said.
‘I called him before every game and he called me.
“Obviously, I didn’t get that phone call this week, but yeah, it was something special.”
It is the first time the Swans have beaten their local rivals in September.
Campbell started as a substitute and entered the action in the third quarter.
“We played some excellent football in the first half of the year, but in some ways I’m happier with the last three weeks,” Longmire said.
‘I was very happy that we were able to achieve this, because that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s about sometimes when you’re not playing so well and the opponent is in form, you have to hang in there and persevere and push yourself, and then we can do it and then move on, which was fantastic.”