FACT FILE: Heritier 'Harry' O'Brien

Born: 15/1/1986

Recruited: Claremont (WAFL), 2005 rookie draft selection

All Australian 2010. Premiership player 2010

HARRY O'Brien was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a Brazilian mother and a Congolese father. 

He moved to Western Australia when he was three years old and was raised by his stepfather, Ralph. 

O'Brien did not meet his biological father until he was 19. 

He was recruited from WAFL club Claremont by Collingwood with pick No. 20 in the 2005 NAB AFL Rookie Draft. 

O'Brien's world was turned upside down when his stepfather Ralph committed suicide in 2009, and he contemplated taking six months off football during that 2009 season as he sought to be closer to his mother and family in Perth. 

However Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse talked him out of that decision and the following year he became a first-time All Australian and has since gone on to become one of Collingwood's most important players. 

Earlier this year O'Brien revealed he was witness to a murder in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. O'Brien spoke about how the 2011 Christmas Day incident had brought on a period of depression and the way in which his life was impacted on and off the field. 

In 2013, O'Brien has flourished as a recast wingman and is enjoying his best year to date. He is averaging a career-high 21.9 disposals per game and his run and drive has been critical to Collingwood's set-up this season. 

Off the field, O'Brien is renowned for his sense of social responsibility and for his burgeoning social media following. 

He has become a voice for the AFL, becoming a youth ambassador and speaking out about the issues that are important to him. 

O'Brien has met the Dalai Lama and stated his desire to meet with US president Barack Obama during his Australian tour in 2010.