Harry O'Brien
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth | 15 November 1986 , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Recruited from | Claremont Football Club (WAFL) |
| Height and weight | 187 cm / 90 kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 18, 31 July 2005, Collingwood vs. Fremantle, at Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Team(s) | Collingwood (2005-)
72 games, 4 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of Round 12 2009 season | |
| Career highlights | |
Heritier "Harry" O'Brien (born 15 November 1986) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League
He was born to a Brazilian mother and a Congolese father in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to Western Australia when he was 3 years old.[1] However he was raised by his Australian stepfather and was 19 years old when he found out about his biological father.[2] He supported the Essendon Bombers as a child, with his family owning a pet dog named Sheedy after the long-time Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy.
The 188 cm O'Brien, who has played most of his football as a medium defender (in the style of James Clement), has the distinction of being the first Brazilian-born player in the Australian Football League.[3] He was picked up with pick 21 in the 2004 AFL Rookie Draft by Collingwood, and made his debut in Round 18 of 2005 against Fremantle at the MCG. He kicked a great goal against the Kangaroos shortly after his debut, and did enough to be retained on the rookie list. In 2006 Harry showed more improvement and was elevated to the senior list again during the year, this time due to the absence of Sean Rusling, playing a total of 9 games.
Coach Mick Malthouse at one point in an interview challenged the AFL's rules on rookies in response to not being able to permanently play O'Brien in the seniors on the basis of his excellent form.[4]
He was elevated to the senior list for season 2007. In 2008, he came 5th in the Copeland Trophy count, Collingwood's Best and Fairest.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "African journey helps O'Brien" (in English). Realfooty.com.au. http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/african-journey-helps-obrien/2008/02/11/1202578694113.html. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ Warner, Michael (11 March 2009) Pies confirm tragic loss; Herald Sun
- ^ Walsh, Courtney (31 May 2008) Magpies Harry O'Brien defender a leader in the making
- ^ Boulton, Martin (11 May 2006) Give rookies a better go: Pies
- ^ Lane, Samantha & Gleeson, Michael (4 October 2008) Swan named Magpies' best
[edit] External links
- Harry O'Brien profile on the Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
- Harry O'Brien's statistics from AFL Tables
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