A 12-year-old boy could be giving sports presenter Bruce McAvaney a run for his money after he commentated an AFL match for his blind friend.
Jarryd Haines provided a play-by-play commentary to Mark Smith, 13, after his radio failed to stream during the Sydney Swans clash against Carlton Blues.
The boys were sitting among the crowds at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Jarryd’s running commentary caught the attention of nearby spectators.
‘We were giving Mark something so he could listen to the commentary and that didn’t work in the second quarter so I just decided to call the game for him,’ Jarryd explained.
Jarryd Haines, 12, (right) decided to provide a play-by-play commentary to his blind friend Mark Smith, 13, (left) after his radio failed to stream during the Swans-Blues match
And his humble gesture warmed the heart of spectators, including Jonathon Drennan, who was sitting near the boys when he overheard the commentary.
‘Heard a beautiful thing at @sydneyswans game tonight. A boy was giving his blind brother a brilliant play by play commentary all game long,’ he wrote on Twitter.
The tweet sparked a week-long search for the pair, after the Swans called on social media to help track down the youngsters.
‘We love this & are trying to track down these boys… If anyone can help us find them please get in touch!’ the team tweeted.
And over the weekend, the two best friends went behind the scenes for a meet-and-greet with the team.
At the weekend, Mark (pictured) went behind the scenes for a meet-and-greet with the team
The boys were sitting among the crowds at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Jarryd’s (pictured) running commentary caught the attention of nearby spectators
The boys will also get the opportunity to run alongside the Swans through the banner during Saturday’s home final against Essendon Bombers
The boys were sitting among the crowds at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Jarryd’s running commentary caught the attention of nearby spectators
The tweet sparked a week-long search for the pair, after the Swans called on social media to help track down the youngsters
The boys will also get the opportunity to run alongside the Swans through the banner during Saturday’s home final against Essendon Bombers.
Opening up about his kind act, Jarryd said he started commentating when he was playing football with his brother in their backyard.
When asked what he thought of his friend’s commentary, Mark – who lost his eyesight four years ago after he was diagnosed with cancer – told Sunrise: ‘Best commentary I’ve ever heard in all my life’.
‘It’s that good commentary, I can sort of picture everything and what position they’re in,’ he said.