DOB: 22 March 1969
Debut: Round 4, 1996 against Carlton at Princes Park,
Last Game: Round 22, 1997 against Fremantle at MCG
From: Collie/West Perth, Selection #60 1995 National Draft
Number: 38 (1996-1997)
Honours
Best First Year Player - 1996
Games: 24
Goals: 9
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
5 | 0 | 19 | 20.83 |
A mature aged recruit to the WAFL, where he didn't begin playing until 1994, O'Brien was picked up by Melbourne at the end of 1995 after playing in a premiership side. At 27-years-old, he is the oldest player to make his VFL/AFL debut for Melbourne since World War II.
Promoted to the seniors early due to the temporary absence of Todd Viney, he played most of the second half of the season and was named Best First Year Player in 1996. After his successful rookie year the long kicking centreman and tagger couldn't find a permanent role in the side the next year, and was further handicapped by a month out with a knee injury. He was delisted at the end of 1997.
After nominating for the national draft but not being selected O'Brien returned to West Perth in 1998 and played his last season of senior football there.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1996 | 13 | 7 | 0 |
1997 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
Lists
Interstate recruits
WAFL
Media
Age - 09/12/1995
Age - 16/10/1997
Age - 24/10/1997
Links
WAFL Online
Wikipedia profile