In what was Kurt Tippett’s first game in the red and white and on the back on a 77-point win over the Crows in their previous match, the Swans were overrun by Port in the second half as the home side posted an 18-point win in front of a vocal home crowd.
Fast-forward 12 months and the Power are sitting two games clear on top of the AFL ladder with just one loss to their name for the season.
Speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon’s SCG blockbuster against the Power, which will also mark his 150th career game, Jack said there was no denying the importance of this weekend’s clash.
“It’s a big game,” Jack told media on Thursday.
“Every game is important, but when you come up against teams that are thereabouts with you on the ladder, it’s vitally important.
“Port are two games clear (on the ladder) and they’ve been the benchmark.
“We’ll need to be on, and we want a big crowd here and we hope to take it to them.”
Since that game last June, Jack said he had watched the dramatic improvement of Port Adelaide, who only three years ago finished in 16th place on the AFL table.
With the likes of Chad Wingard, Robbie Gray, Ollie Wines and captain Travis Boak all reaching their potential, Jack said there was no surprise that the Power had surged up the ladder so quickly.
“They played really well (last June) and they were probably starting to show signs back then that they were evolving as a group,” Jack said.
“Through the back-half of the year we saw that, and in the finals series as well, and they seem to have taken another step over the pre-season this year.
“They are playing a tough brand, they’re hard, they play two ways and they are setting the benchmark in a lot of areas.
“(Saturday’s game) will be a great test for us.”
Although Port Adelaide hold top spot on the AFL table, the Swans have also enjoyed an excellent run of form, with the side looking to post their eighth consecutive victory this weekend.
While the Swans’ forward line has attracted plenty of praise over the last two months, Jack credited his team’s midfield depth, and the versatility of the entire group, as a real strength of his side.
“It’s so important in the modern game now to have ten or eleven guys who can go through the midfield, and I think the strength of our midfield group is that when one comes off and one comes on, it doesn’t drop, and you almost hand the baton over and continue to go to work on opposition teams,” he said.
“That’s been a strength, and guys like Luke Parker and Craig Bird have stepped up this year and we’ve been able to throw some younger guys in like Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd.
“I think with opposition teams, they’re not looking at four-or-five players, they are looking at eight, nine or ten.”
Jack, who has averaged 30 possessions over his last three games, will gain life membership this weekend when he lines up for his 150th game.
While admitting that Saturday’s game is his main focus, the 26-year-old, who arrived at the Swans as a rookie in 2005, took time out to reflect on his achievements, which include earning the Swans’ co-captaincy, All-Australian selection, a Bob Skilton Medal, and the 2012 premiership.
“If you had of told me at the start (that he would achieve those things), I certainly wouldn’t have thought it was going to happen,” he said.
“I think I’ve learnt a lot about myself and about what it takes to be an AFL footballer.
“I’d always wished and dreamed to play senior football, but there were a lot of doubters of me, and I probably doubted myself a little bit too.
“I had to improve and get better very quickly and due to a lot of hard work I’ve been able to get senior football and then continue to play.
“It’s nice to get life membership and reflect a little bit.”
