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.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Caleb Serong admits prelim final victory was ‘bittersweet’

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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.

“It was so bittersweet. I didn’t know what to say to him.

“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.”

Andy Brayshaw was all praise for his co-vice captain Serong in the rooms after the game.

“He’s amazing,” he said.

“I said it before to the players. He’s obviously an amazing individual talent. Three-time All-Australian, three-time best and fairest winner, Rising Star.

“But it’s it’s his selfless nature that he’s adopted this year, allowing other guys to really step up. His main focus is: how can I make my team-mates better? How can I get us a win? Which is a really hard thing to do when you’re one of the best players in the comp.

“So he’s been amazing this year and it makes other leaders want to do the same, want to be selfless, want to jump in behind him. And he’s an awesome player.”