REVEALED: Why Grant Hackett’s brother punched him in the face

It was the shocking picture that stunned Australia.

When deeply troubled former swimming hero Grant Hackett released a photo of his bruised face, blaming a punch from his brother Craig, fans were left wondering just what to believe.

Now the Daily Telegraph has revealed that the punch, which allegedly took place in January, came amid a fraught family encounter in which Grant’s loving family attempted to get him to face his demons – which are believed to include alcohol and prescription medications.

The paper says Craig was forced to swing at his brother after he ran at him during a confrontation during what witnesses describe as a booze ‘bender’ on the Gold Coast.

‘I feel for Mum and Dad. They are nervous wrecks,’ Craig says of his brother’s battle.

‘This is now a chronic problem and it looks like it’s not going to go away in a hurry.

‘From a mental health perspective I hope something can be done. We’re trying everything we can. The family has tried for years.’