Braeden Campbell helps Swans to famous AFL finals victory just 24 hours after heartbreaking family tragedy

Braeden Campbell played through the grief of losing a loved one to help the Sydney Swans pull off a fourth-quarter fightback for the ages to defeat GWS by six points in a thrilling AFL qualifying final. 

Campbell, who entered the fray in Saturday’s third quarter as the Swans staged an almighty comeback to reel in a 28-point deficit to 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 22, only he had a tough week,’ Longmire said.

‘He lost his grandad unfortunately on Thursday night, who he was really close with.

‘He was really restricted in his training (on Tuesday), had a sore groin and was barely able to get through training … so we were tossing up whether to play him.’

There were emotional scenes after the match as Campbell and sister Hannah, who works for the Swans as a trainer, were supported by teammates and Longmire on the field then in the rooms.

‘To win some big 50-50 moments, be hard and clean after a pretty tough week – injury-wise and what was happening off the field – is a great credit to him,’ Longmire said.

Swans coach John Longmire revealed Campbell had lost his grandfather Jim on Thursday

‘It should be a really proud moment for he 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 pretty special moment.’

Mills singled out Campbell in his post-match address to the team on the field.

Campbell told the Gold Coast Bulletin that he would chat to his grandfather on the phone before each AFL match.

‘He was a massive fan,’ Campbell said.

‘I’d call him before every game, and he’d call 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 defeated their local rivals in September.

Campbell started as the sub and was introduced into the action in the third quarter

‘We played some super footy in the first half of the year, but in some ways I was happier with the last three weeks,’ Longmire said.

‘I was just happy that we were able to grind it out, because this is what it’s about.

‘It’s about, sometimes when you’re not playing that well and the opposition are on song, and you’ve got to hang in there and hang in there and grind it out, and then we’re able to do it and then go, which was fantastic.’