Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien responded emphatically to his recent AFL axing with an immense performance in the SANFL on the weekend.
The 26-year-old was omitted by Matthew Nicks prior to the Round 9 clash with Brisbane which has seen him miss his side’s last two fixtures at the top level.
O’Brien did not play last weekend because of the SA v WA state game, but roared back to form this week with 37 disposals, 42 hit-outs, 13 clearances, 11 marks, six inside 50s, three tackles and a goal as the SANFL Crows beat back-to-back premiers Woodville-West Torrens 106-73.
Andrew Hayes commented on O’Brien’s emphatic response to his axing which came against a player with AFL experience, ex-Lion Connor Ballenden.
“I’ve never seen such a dominant game by a ruckman,” Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“37 disposals, 42 hit-outs, and he was playing on Connor Ballenden, so it was actually a really decent match-up.
“It was the biggest response to an axing I think I’ve ever seen in my life.
“He had 180 ranking points as well. He was just everywhere. That’s what you get with Reilly O’Brien as well, because he is so fit. He just cruises around the ground, he was almost running as an extra mid.
“It was just ridiculous to see.”
Kieran Strachan, who has replaced O’Brien in Nicks’ side, was solid in Saturday night’s loss to St Kilda, winning 19 hit-outs to go along with 17 disposals, eight score involvements and five tackles.
Crows assistant Nathan Van Berlo was asked if the superb performance of 2020 best and fairest O’Brien would force a change for the Round 11 meeting with Geelong.
It comes after Scott Burns said the club would give Strachan “three to four weeks” to prove himself in the senior side.
“I don’t think the three to four weeks was categoric,” he said.
“When we bring guys into the team, when you’re a young player coming through, it’s best if match committee can give you that three or four-week block to just allow you to find your way at AFL level and show your wares.
“We’ve certainly explored that with Kieran as well. As you said, ROB (O’Brien) couldn’t have done any more than what he did on the weekend. It was the most impressive game I’ve seen from a big fella in terms of his influence on the game and his numbers.
“We were really happy with ‘Strachany’. (Paddy) Ryder and (Rowan) Marshall are a deadly duo and while he didn’t necessarily dominate them, he held his own and was able to not let them do what they pleased at ruck contests. That’s what we ask of our rucks and he did a good job on the weekend.
“Conversations will be had.”
Could the Crows follow the lead of a number of other clubs and operate with two genuine ruckmen?
“There definitely is (a chance). We’ve seen a number of teams play two rucks,” Van Berlo added.
“It’s something we haven’t done with two genuine rucks. We’ll definitely have that discussion, but it’s just a mix of what we look like ahead of the ball as well.
“We’ll explore that and see what selection looks like later in the week.”
Midfielder Matt Crouch, another former Crows best and fairest winner, also got in on the act wth 35 touches, seven clearances and five inside 50s, stating his case for a senior recall having being dropped three weeks ago.
The 3-7 Crows head to GMHBA Stadium to take on the sixth-placed Cats on Saturday.