Swans’ little charm
WHEN it comes to omens this is about as good as it gets for Sydney Swans fans.
Jarrad and Clementine McVeigh have had another baby girl, Florence, who was born on Tuesday.
When their other daughter, Lolita-Luella, was born five years ago she featured in a heartwarming photo when Jarrad and Clementine cradled her in their arms minutes after Sydney won the 2012 premiership.
Just 12 months earlier the McVeighs had lost their firstborn, Luella, who died from heart complications when she was only weeks old.
Florence’s birth will mean a double celebration for Jarrad who will play his 300th game in tomorrow night’s semi-final against Geelong at the MCG.
“The week has started off pretty well,” McVeigh said. “Everyone is healthy and happy.
“We tried to put a few things in place because she was actually due next Monday, so we sped things up a little bit.”
The happy result takes care of any issues of where the Swans defender needs to be tomorrow night.
Early in the season the 300-game milestone seemed to be a long way off when McVeigh played two games in the first 14 rounds because of continuing calf injuries.
Since his return in Round 15 against Melbourne he has averaged more than 20 possessions per game as he marshalled the Swans defence.
His form earnt him a oneyear contract extension last week.
McVeigh will become the fourth player for the Swans to chalk up a triple century of games following Adam Goodes (372), Jude Bolton (325) and Michael O’Loughlin (303).
“The club means the world to me,” McVeigh said. “To come out of school and be drafted and get to stay home (in Sydney) was fantastic.
‘‘I learned so much through the older players that have been at the club when I arrived.”
The Swans can make a great week for McVeigh even better with a win over Geelong and a berth in the preliminary final against the Crows at the Adelaide Oval.
Sydney have beaten the Cats in their past three outings including last year’s preliminary final at the MCG.
“We’re too smart to think Geelong won’t bounce back really well,” McVeigh said.
“They were bagged in the media when they lost to Essendon (in Round 8) and then had about 140 tackles against the Western Bulldogs.”