Caleb Serong admits preliminary final victory over his brother Jai is ‘bittersweet’

Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong admits his side’s preliminary-final victory against his brother’s Sydney Swans is “bittersweet”.

Brothers Caleb and Jai Serong lined up just metres from each other inside the centre square at the start of Friday night’s cut-throat clash knowing that only one of them would be playing next week.

Jai has had a breakout season in 2026, playing 24 of a possible 25 games — 14 more than the 10 combined he played in four years at Hawthorn up until the end of last year.

And the 23-year-old has been thrust into even more responsibility since the club-imposed suspensions of the Pullman Five , three of whom normally take up a significant portion of the Swans’ midfield minutes.

He was impressive again in the biggest game of his career with 23 touches, but it was older brother Caleb (28, 0.3) who goes home happy after Fremantle won a 12-point epic.

“Being completely honest, he was the first one I saw after the siren and I almost wanted to cry,” Caleb told Channel 7 after the game.

“I’m so proud of what he’s done, what he’s achieved. I tune in every single week to watch the Swans, I love watching them play.

“He’s had a tough four years, he’s battled away. And to then get his opportunity at the Swans, he loves it up here and they’re a great football club as well and they’ve welcomed him.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way he played tonight and the way he’s played this season, so it is bittersweet, but I am glad we’re playing in the grand final.”