He finished fourth - nudged out of third on a countback by teammate Heath Shaw.
As he stood on stage to accept his trophy at the Copeland Trophy in early October, he spoke with a passion that none in the room could ignore.
Now, on the eve of the 2010 season, O'Brien has done away with individual goals, although one might find that surprising on hearing the excitement in his voice when speaking of his own physical condition earlier this week.
Pie fans can still expect a big year from the dashing defender; it's just the man has a different outlook on footy these days.
Whether it's because he's become part of a new-look Collingwood leadership group or because, at the ripe old age of 23, he feels he's matured as a footballer, one can't be sure.
But one thing's for certain. When he has the ball against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, or in any match this year, he certainly won't be thinking votes - Copeland or Brownlow.
O'Brien, the footballer known for family, deep thinking and philanthropic ways, has always known there's more to footy than himself.
And now that he's part of the Pies' leadership group, his main focus will be trying to impart that view to some of his younger teammates.
"I think through AFL players' careers, they do go through different phases," O'Brien said this week.
"Initially they just want to play games of football and then, I suppose once they do get cemented,they want to play really good football personally, and then the next phase is wanting to contribute to getting a team to a premiership.
"So that's sort of where I am at the moment with my role in the leadership group.
"That happened towards the end of last year. All I want to do is play my part for the team and play as selflessly as I can and not go outside of that … that's where I see I can take my football to the next level."
Such a team-first attitude is exactly the kind of approach coach Mick Malthouse demands from his players, and among the reasons why O'Brien would be among any coach's favourites.
Collingwood fans have watched O'Brien's game grow enormously in almost five full seasons at the club.
But after just 85 career matches, it's rare to find someone who is already thinking of the bigger picture rather than cementing his next contract.
"I think for me, my biggest focus this year is simply to be the most selfless player I can be for my team, who's always putting my team first," he said.
"[That's] not necessarily sacrificing my own game, just dedicating my game to my team.
"Younger players do have a tendency to just want to get a game, but at the moment I know that I'll get a game if I can contribute in the way that the coaches want me to contribute.
"So just playing my role for the team and I know the rest will take care of itself."
As for his own game, the Pies will again call on O'Brien for his stopping and rebounding abilities from defence.
Along with teammates and fellow leaders Nick Maxwell and Shaw, he forms an integral part of the Collingwood backline.
Fresher faces like Ben Reid and Nathan Brown, a familiar partner from two seasons ago, are likely to play roles in 2010, while the addition of Simon Buckley and the continued development of the likes of Brent Macaffer means a more versatile Pies' backline.
"We do have quite a cemented back-six, however the way the game's going you need more players who can play a number of roles," O'Brien said.
"So you'll see people playing in the backline and moving into the midfield and vice-versa. You'll see a mixture through there."
