Ryan O'Keefe
Encyclopedia
Ryan O'Keefe is an Australian Football League
player with the Sydney Swans
, and part of the Swans' 2005 premiership-winning side.
O'Keefe was a member of the 2006 All-Australian side and is one of Sydney's key forwards. He is known for his superb fitness and running ability, as well as his strong marking overhead. He is among the very best in the AFL in terms of ground coverage. It is these abilities that have made up for his slight lack of height and speed, which were obstacles early in his career. He is also a terrific left-foot kick, which has served him well since he transformed from a defender to a forward early in his career with the Swans.
.
He was picked up by Sydney as number 56 in the 1999 AFL Draft
. But did not make his mark until season 2004 when shifted from defence to attack.
He came equal second in the running for the Bob Skilton
Medal, which is annually awarded to the Best and Fairest player at the Sydney Swans, to one of the three Co-Captains, Brett Kirk.
medal behind Brett Kirk
who also was one of shining lights for the Swans.
. O'Keefe also played for the Victorian team for the one-off match in May, but instead of wearing his normal #5, he wore #1.
Following the 2008 Grand Final, O'Keefe signalled his intentions to continue his career elsewhere, specifically in Victoria - his place of birth, after knocking back an initial three-year contract offer by the Swans. After a suitable swap was not able to be arranged during the AFL's "trade week," however, O'Keefe decided against entering a pre-season draft where three teams outside Victoria had picks before any other Victorian teams. He has recently signed a 4 year contract with the Sydney Swans.
O'Keefe attracted press criticism after making a slow start to the 2009 season, but after moving into a midfield role he performed strongly through the majority of the 2009 season, and was rewarded by being selected as the Bob Skilton medallist for the season.
After a very impressive first month of play in 2010, O'Keefe suffered a concussion against the Brisbane Lions at the SCG which somewhat stalled his season. He also sustained a groin injury later in the year which severely hampered his ability to cover the ground with his elite endurance. Accordingly, he was prevented from spending whole games in the midfield and towards the end of the year he spent more and more time in the forward line. O'Keefe did manage to play some impressive football however, particularly against Hawthorn at the SCG when he blanketed the dangerous Luke Hodge while kicking 4 goals himself (he was awarded 3 Brownlow votes for his game). Since the end of the season, O'Keefe has had groin surgery and will be able to participate in pre-season training.
Having recovered from his debilitating groin injury in 2010, O'Keefe returned to very strong and consistent form in 2011. He spent most of his time in the midfield, though did play some meaningful roles up forward late in the year, kicking 4 goals in the Elimination Final against St.Kilda at Etihad Stadium in a BOG performance and then kicking 3 the next week against Hawthorn in the Swans' Semi Final Loss at the MCG. O'Keefe finished 4th in the Bob Skilton Medal count for season 2011.
.
On 12 January 2008 O'Keefe married Tara Duggan and together they have a son Levi born 6 September 2009.
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
player with the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
, and part of the Swans' 2005 premiership-winning side.
O'Keefe was a member of the 2006 All-Australian side and is one of Sydney's key forwards. He is known for his superb fitness and running ability, as well as his strong marking overhead. He is among the very best in the AFL in terms of ground coverage. It is these abilities that have made up for his slight lack of height and speed, which were obstacles early in his career. He is also a terrific left-foot kick, which has served him well since he transformed from a defender to a forward early in his career with the Swans.
Early career
Ryan O'Keefe was educated at St Kevin's College in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
He was picked up by Sydney as number 56 in the 1999 AFL Draft
1999 AFL Draft
The 1999 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1999 there...
. But did not make his mark until season 2004 when shifted from defence to attack.
2005
O'Keefe played all 26 games in Sydney's premiership year of 2005, having a particularly brilliant finals series, and played one of the best games of his career in the Preliminary Final against the Saints. In the same year, he represented Australia in the International Rules series.2006
In 2006, he made All-Australian selection, and was once again selected to represent Australia in the International Rules series. He had a highly successful series, scoring more points than any other player. He was awarded the Jim Stynes medal for the best Australian player in the series.He came equal second in the running for the Bob Skilton
Bob Skilton
Robert John "Bob" Skilton was an Australian rules football player who played as a rover for South Melbourne and Victoria between 1956 and 1971....
Medal, which is annually awarded to the Best and Fairest player at the Sydney Swans, to one of the three Co-Captains, Brett Kirk.
2007
O'Keefe backed up his All-Australian form of 2006 with a memorable performance through the 07 season, once again finishing second in the votes for the Bob SkiltonBob Skilton
Robert John "Bob" Skilton was an Australian rules football player who played as a rover for South Melbourne and Victoria between 1956 and 1971....
medal behind Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk is a former Australian rules football player of the Sydney Swans, and is known colloquially as "Kirky", "Captain Kirk", during the 2005 AFL Finals Series, "Captain Blood" and by teammates as "Hippy". Kirk is a hard working and onfield leader who has played in a premiership with the...
who also was one of shining lights for the Swans.
2008-2011
After a strong start to the season, increased pressure was placed on O'Keefe following the suspension of troubled forward target Barry HallBarry Hall
Barry Hall is a former Australian rules footballer. Hall is considered to be one of the best forwards of the modern era, being named All-Australian, leading his club's goalkicking on nine occasions and captaining the Sydney Swans to their 2005 AFL Grand Final victory...
. O'Keefe also played for the Victorian team for the one-off match in May, but instead of wearing his normal #5, he wore #1.
Following the 2008 Grand Final, O'Keefe signalled his intentions to continue his career elsewhere, specifically in Victoria - his place of birth, after knocking back an initial three-year contract offer by the Swans. After a suitable swap was not able to be arranged during the AFL's "trade week," however, O'Keefe decided against entering a pre-season draft where three teams outside Victoria had picks before any other Victorian teams. He has recently signed a 4 year contract with the Sydney Swans.
O'Keefe attracted press criticism after making a slow start to the 2009 season, but after moving into a midfield role he performed strongly through the majority of the 2009 season, and was rewarded by being selected as the Bob Skilton medallist for the season.
After a very impressive first month of play in 2010, O'Keefe suffered a concussion against the Brisbane Lions at the SCG which somewhat stalled his season. He also sustained a groin injury later in the year which severely hampered his ability to cover the ground with his elite endurance. Accordingly, he was prevented from spending whole games in the midfield and towards the end of the year he spent more and more time in the forward line. O'Keefe did manage to play some impressive football however, particularly against Hawthorn at the SCG when he blanketed the dangerous Luke Hodge while kicking 4 goals himself (he was awarded 3 Brownlow votes for his game). Since the end of the season, O'Keefe has had groin surgery and will be able to participate in pre-season training.
Having recovered from his debilitating groin injury in 2010, O'Keefe returned to very strong and consistent form in 2011. He spent most of his time in the midfield, though did play some meaningful roles up forward late in the year, kicking 4 goals in the Elimination Final against St.Kilda at Etihad Stadium in a BOG performance and then kicking 3 the next week against Hawthorn in the Swans' Semi Final Loss at the MCG. O'Keefe finished 4th in the Bob Skilton Medal count for season 2011.
Career highlights
- TAC Cup Team of the Year 1999
- International Rules SeriesInternational Rules SeriesThe International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
2005, 2006 (Jim Stynes Medal 2006) - Sydney Swans Premiership player 2005
- All-Australian 2006
Season statistics
| Year | Team | Number | Games | Kicks | Handballs | Total Disposals | Tackles | Marks | Goals | Behinds | Goal Accuracy % | Brownlow Medal Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sydney | 39 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| 2001 | Sydney | 5 | 13 | 78 | 20 | 98 | 14 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 60 | 0 |
| 2002 | Sydney | 5 | 9 | 62 | 32 | 94 | 14 | 33 | 12 | 8 | 60 | 2 |
| 2003 | Sydney | 5 | 16 | 74 | 35 | 109 | 22 | 41 | 17 | 5 | 77 | 1 |
| 2004 | Sydney | 5 | 24 | 244 | 103 | 347 | 56 | 124 | 33 | 17 | 66 | 2 |
| 2005 | Sydney | 5 | 26 | 280 | 105 | 385 | 65 | 128 | 31 | 33 | 48 | 7 |
| 2006 | Sydney | 5 | 25 | 356 | 119 | 475 | 64 | 178 | 32 | 22 | 59 | 5 |
| 2007 | Sydney | 5 | 23 | 282 | 122 | 404 | 83 | 122 | 23 | 18 | 56 | 2 |
| 2008 | Sydney | 5 | 23 | 303 | 149 | 452 | 68 | 113 | 23 | 26 | 47 | 10 |
| 2009 | Sydney | 5 | 22 | 287 | 238 | 525 | 117 | 95 | 13 | 7 | 65 | 11 |
| 2010 | Sydney | 5 | 23 | 269 | 210 | 479 | 98 | 98 | 17 | 15 | 53 | 8 |
| 2011 | Sydney | 5 | 24 | 317 | 226 | 543 | 138 | 75 | 20 | 20 | 50 | 12 |
| 2012 | Sydney | 5 | ||||||||||
| Totals | 233 | 2567 | 1369 | 3936 | 745 | 1034 | 228 | 175 | 57.5% | 49 |
Personal life
In March 2002, O'Keefe's younger brother was killed in a car accidentCar accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
.
On 12 January 2008 O'Keefe married Tara Duggan and together they have a son Levi born 6 September 2009.