Reilly O’Brien

The ruckman was Adelaide’s first pick in the 2014 AFL Rookie Draft following a strong season with Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. Standing at 202cm, O’Brien was the leading ruck in the SANFL but broke through for his AFL debut in Round 20, 2016. While he remained an understudy to Sam Jacobs, O’Brien was elevated off the rookie list for the 2017 season and continued to shine in the SANFL. In 2019, he got his opportunity at AFL level when Jacobs suffered a knee injury and has made the spot his own. O’Brien had a breakout season in 2020, winning his first Malcolm Blight Medal and the Members’ MVP award at Adelaide’s Club Champion event. O'Brien lined up in 20 games in 2021, 20 in 2022 and 23 in 2023. In 2023, O'Brien was ranked 'elite' across the competition for average hit-outs (38.6) and hit-outs to advantage (11.3). In 2024, O'Brien claimed the Club's Phil Walsh Best Team Man Award for a third time, as well as the Crows Foundation Community Award. He also won the AFL's 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his advocacy in mental health support.