Set for his 200th AFL game against St Kilda at the Dome Friday night, the 29-year-old Collingwood midfielder from Ballarat could so easily have gone down an entirely different career path. And instead of being an outstanding Magpies utility he could have been an outstanding Brisbane Lions utility.
Remember, just like champion Nathan Buckley, 'Obie' was a Brisbane draftee. And he played his first two years and 19 games with the Lions.
He was taken at No.10 in the 1997 National Draft that also led the Lions to Luke Power (No.5), yours truly (No.31), Marcus Picken (No.58) and Beau McDonald (No.73), plus a Queenslander called Scott Ralph who never played AFL footy at No.51.
I remember it well because we played our first official game for the club together in Cape Town, South Africa, when Brisbane took on Fremantle in the pre-season competition in February 1998.
Obie was a typical country boy, pretty relaxed about most things. But he was always going to be a good player because he never had any trouble finding the footy, had real poise with the ball in his hands, and always found his way out of a tricky situation.
I was surprised when he quit Brisbane at the end of ’99 to join the Pies as No.1 pick in the 2000 pre-season draft. And a bit disappointed because he would have been an asset to our group.
Only Obie can tell whether it was the right decision, and you can’t argue against an outstanding 200-game career. But, as much as everyone’s situation is different, one of things I’m really proud about, especially as an interstate player, is that fact that I’ve been a one-club player.
As much as he might wonder how things would have turned out if he’d stayed in Brisbane, we can all wonder what might have happened if the draft fell a different way.
It’s always interesting looking back, and the Class of ’97 was pretty special. My new teammate Travis Johnstone was No.1 to Melbourne, followed by Brad Ottens at No.2 (Richmond), Trent Croad at No.3 (Hawthorn), Mark Bolton at No.4 (Essendon), Luke Power, James Walker at No.6 (Fremantle), Kris Massie at No.7 (Carlton), Chris Tarrant at No.8 (Collingwood), Chad Cornes at No.9 (Port Adelaide) and O’Bree.
It takes you back to your under-18 days and the National Championships, which are currently being held for this year’s crop of prospective draftees.
I remember vividly the 1997 under-18 carnival where I represented Western Australia for the first time.
Michael Broadbridge, now on the coaching staff at West Coast after stints at Collingwood and Fremantle, was our coach. He was terrific, and gave us an understanding of what was required at the next level.
Adam Lange, later drafted to North Melbourne, captained our side which included Chad Fletcher, Tarkyn Lockyer, Ian Perrie, Phil Read, Rowan Jones, Troy Longmuir and Digby Morrell, who all played League footy.
I remember the WA games vividly:
Game 1 – We beat South Australia at Victoria Park. Rowan Jones was a standout for WA, a fella with long blonde hair named Chad Cornes moved very well for SA and all the talk was about Brad Ottens and whether he would go No.1 or No.2 in the draft. He was as big back then as he is now, and I remember thinking I’d try to shark a few of his ruck taps.
Game 2 – We played Vic Metro out at Waverley on one of the coldest days I can remember. It was about one degree, and it was snowing 20 minutes away. I started on the wing on Andrew Williams, who later went to the Eagles, but it wasn’t a great day. We only kicked one goal – and that was from 25m off the ground.
Luke Power and Trent Croad toweled us up big time. Luke looked all of 13 (so he hasn’t changed much), and Croad was built like a man. He kicked three crucial goals in a low-scoring game and was fantastic.
Game 3 – We finished the carnival with a win over Vic Country at Optus Oval. Digby Morrell kicked eight goals in a clinic, and O’Bree, Matty Scarlett and Chris Tarrant were in the Country side.
I still keep in contact with some of the boys from the WA side and follow the career of everyone who was involved. Irrespective of what has happened since, that carnival was a real career highlight.
I was extremely nervous wondering whether I could compete at that level, especially with recruiting people watching your every move. If ever there is a lesson for aspiring AFL players it is to not worry about those sorts of things.
I know it’s a terrible cliché, but you’ve got to do just what AFL players try to do – live for the moment, just worry about the things you can control, and make sure you enjoy your footy.
Irrespective of whether a national carnival is a launching pad for bigger things or not, it will always be a very special memory and you’ve got to make the most of it.
And congratulations Obie – hope the 200th is one to remember!
The views expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the AFL or the clubs
