Brett Kirk - The King of Cool (article)

[TheHood]

A superbly constructed piece on my favourite player in the AFL.

Most of it seemed to have read my mind for the past decade.

I was really bouyed by some words from Joel Selwood (my favourite Cat) who idolised the courage of Paul Kelly and then immediately afterwards, transfer that very strong admiration to love Brett Kirk for all the same reasons.

A proud club Geelong with many warriors and genuine stars and, for all that deep parochial tendancies, his idols are the 2 greatest Swans in my memory.

The bravery at the contest as well as the bravery to lead. The conviction to improve on the impressive and the iron-man way they avoid complacency. Always humble and in it up to their necks for team and code.

[bloodboy]

I know I am just sounding like a broken record on this thread now but that is an awesome article mate. An absolutely fitting piece of prose for an underrated legend of the club. I had to fill out one of those 'who am I' surveys at work the other day and Kirk was inked in very early as a person I most admire...sure he hasn't solved world poverty or cured cancer, but I just love what he does. He gets the most out of himself. If everyone were like this bloke, I think it would go a long way to solving some of the world's biggest issues!!! Congrats Kirky - you are a true champ!

[Bez]

I just wanted to say thanks to all for the positive feedback. It?s good to see that we can all unite in celebration of this great man and his fine achievements. I suspect the subject matter may have played a part in the favourable responses. I?ll send a few PMs out to those who wished to explore various tangents. Hope that?s ok.

I?ll no doubt write something again one day but at the moment my life feels like the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Time, time, time is not on my side (no it ain?t). Possibly a piece to coincide with Kirky?s 300th. Should give me around 4 and a half years of planning time.

I joined RWO today, just to say great post...

[Darren Thomson]

Magnificent and all true. Should be wearing No 14

[j s]

The morning of Brett's 150th game I was lucky enough to have a special "close encounter".

We were waiting for the lift at the Holiday Inn in our Swans clobber (heading for the game) when a family (mum, kids and grandparents) came along with a little kid in a Swans jumper. In the lift we noticed the number 31 on the back. We asked him if he knew who 31 was. The kid looked a bit sheepish till Mum said "He should - it's his Dad!" Then we noticed the twins in their carry cots (Granddad doing the honours - not Brett's father obviously - two arms).

The jumper was brand new and he was going to run on the ground for the first time with Dad.

[snajik]

The morning of Brett's 150th game I was lucky enough to have a special "close encounter".

We were waiting for the lift at the Holiday Inn in our Swans clobber (heading for the game) when a family (mum, kids and grandparents) came along with a little kid in a Swans jumper. In the lift we noticed the number 31 on the back. We asked him if he knew who 31 was. The kid looked a bit sheepish till Mum said "He should - it's his Dad!" Then we noticed the twins in their carry cots (Granddad doing the honours - not Brett's father obviously - two arms).

The jumper was brand new and he was going to run on the ground for the first time with Dad.

Nice story. However before these Chinese whispers become an urban myth I'm fairly certain that Brett's Dad was missing a hand and not an arm, apparently lost in a farming machinery accident as a child. A courageous half-back flanker from all accounts.

Let's hope we get to see Kirk the Younger running around in his Dad's #31 in years to come courtesy of the father / son rule.

[j s]

Nice story. However before these Chinese whispers become an urban myth I'm fairly certain that Brett's Dad was missing a hand and not an arm, apparently lost in a farming machinery accident as a child. A courageous half-back flanker from all accounts.

Let's hope we get to see Kirk the Younger running around in his Dad's #31 in years to come courtesy of the father / son rule.

I believe you are correct - however that would still have stopped him carrying two carry cots - one each side - hence my assumption that he was the maternal grandfather.

[BigD]

Great Job snajik

[No 14]

Thank you for the significant effort in writing the wondeful article. I hope Brett gets to read how much we all appreciate who he is and what he represents.

[belladespina]

great tribute to a great leader

Thankyou very much sir for a terrific piece on Kirky and his many achievements for the Swans.

I too have followed his career path from his first debut, his subsequent playing from the bench, delisting etc and wondered at this, because I thought he showed alot even then.

He is my favourite player as was Paul Kelly when he played. My favourite saying when Kirky is at his best on the bottom of the pack, in and out of tussles for the ball, or scoring a goal is " this man has no skills you know".

I congratulate him on this his 200 game and hope he plays on till the wheelchair comes and gets him. He certainly makes it worthwhile going to the game.

May I add also that it is so nice to read something so positive about one of the players who deserves his accolades and not the bitter and twisted posts found so often here. Fantastic!!!!

[Darren Thomson]

well done indeed, and couldn't agree more with the comparison between Kirk and Kell. Both gutsy players, worth going jusy to see them run around

[roseangel77]

Brett Kirk

A tribute, that is great
Kirk, highly with all does rate
The best captain indeed
All around the swan supporters, this would be agreed!

[Auntie.Gerald]

Bravo !

[ScottH]

I sense an addition to this great article coming on!!!!!!

A sad day for the Swans.
A dud who grew into a champion player.

[Kirkari]

Please tell me someone is bringing this to the club for publishing - probably again - but surely they will put it on the website now! I see they've added a form to send tributes. Primmy - you seem to know everyone down there...