Jared Brennan

D.O.B:
27 July 1984
Club:
Brisbane
Honours:
2002 Northern Territory U18 Co-Captain
2002 All-Australian U18
2003 AFL Rising Star Nomination
2007 2nd Lions goal kicking
2008 5th Lions Club Champion
2008 International Rules Series

Considered Brisbane’s X-factor, Jared Brennan has developed into one of the games’ elite players.  From a young age Jared was considered to have an outstanding athletic ability which has since made him capable of playing in any position on the ground.

Prior to being drafted, Jared was selected to attend the NAB draft camp and broke numerous records during the camp.  He was also selected to captain the Northern Territory U18 team which he led on to win the division 2 title for the first time.  Due to his outstanding performances during the carnival, Jared was selected in the U18 All-Australian team.

Jared was drafted in 2002 by the Brisbane Lions with their first selection, the number 3 pick overall.  He burst onto the AFL scene with his first appearance coming in the round 3 fixture against Collingwood.  His performance drawing rave reviews from football pundits everywhere.  Whether he was kicking goals up forward or shutting down opposition key forwards down back, Jared was outstanding and was rewarded with a NAB rising star nomination for his performance.

After his first blistering season Jared was setback by numerous serious injuries including a full shoulder reconstruction as well as a reoccurring quad injury that would keep him out for the majority of the 2004 and 2005 seasons.  However, after a full pre-season Jared had a successful 2006 season playing 17 senior games.  2007 saw Jared transformed from a half-forward to a key position back, playing 21 games for the season, including his 50th AFL match.

2008 was an extremely successful season for Jared as he managed, for the first time, to play all 22 senior matches.  He was played in a number of positions ranging from forward to back, but he finally found himself playing mostly as an effective on-baller.  Jared finished 2008 by finishing a career high 5th in the clubs’ Best and Fairest Award and was also rewarded with selection in the Australian squad for the International Series against Ireland.

Brennan's start to the 2009 season was delayed when he strained his quad during the team's practice match against Melbourne in Cairns. He returned in time for the team's Round 4 clash with Collingwood and resumed his role as a genuine 'jack of all trades'. One of the key features of Brennan's game in 2009 was his tackling intensity. He finished among the Club's leading tacklers and even broke an AFL record when he laid 16 tackles against Essendon in the Round 19 draw. Capping of a successful 2009 season, Brennan played his 100th career match, and first ever AFL Final, at the Gabba against Carlton in the Elimination Final.

Brennan's consistency earned him his second consecutive top ten finish (9th) in the Merrett-Murray Medal.