Ryan O'Keefe

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Ryan O'Keefe
Personal information
Full name	Ryan O'Keefe
Date of Birth	January 24, 1981 (1981-01-24) (age 27)
Place of Birth	?
Recruited from	Strathmore/Calder Cannons
Draft	56th overall, 1999 Sydney Swans
Height/Weight	190cm / 88kg
Position	Miefielder
Club information
Current club	Sydney Swans
Number	5
Playing Career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2000-	Sydney Swans	148 (160)
State Team Honours2
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
2008	Victoria	1 (1)
¹ Club statistics to end of HOF Game, 2008 season
² Representative statistics to end of {{{repstatsend}}} Career highlights TAC Cup Team of the Year 1999 International Rules Series 2005, 2006 Jim Stynes Medal 2006 Sydney Swans Premiership player All-Australian 2006

Ryan O'Keefe (born 24 January 1981) is an Australian Football League player with the Sydney Swans, and part of the Swans' 2005 premiership-winning side.

O'Keefe was a member of the 2006 All-Australian side and is one of Sydney's key forwards. He is known for his superb fitness and running ability, as well as his strong marking overhead. He is among the very best in the AFL in terms of ground coverage. It is these abilities that have made up for his slight lack of height and speed, which were obstacles early in his career. He is also a terrific left-foot kick, which has served him well since he transformed from a defender to a forward early in his career with the Swans.

[edit] Early Career

Ryan O'Keefe was educated at St Kevin's College in Melbourne.

He was picked up by Sydney as number 56 in the 1999 AFL Draft. But didn't make his mark until season 2004 when shifted from defence to attack.

[edit] 2005

His improvement over the 2004-2005 seasons was so dramatic he gained a reputation as one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition, yet his under-rated status still continues as he is often undervalued as a footballer. O'Keefe played all 26 games in 2005, having a particularly brilliant finals series. O'Keefe was apart of the Swans' Premiership side of that year. In the same year, he represented Australia in the International Rules series.

[edit] 2006

In 2006, he made All-Australian selection, and was once again selected to represent Australia in the International Rules series. He had a terrific series, scoring more points than any other player. He was awarded the Jim Stynes medal for the best Australian player in the series.

He came equal second in the running for the Bob Skilton Medal, which is annually awarded to the Best and Fairest player at the Sydney Swans, to one of their 3 Co-Captains in Brett Kirk

[edit] 2007

Unlike seasons 2005 and 2006, the Swans became sluggish and their trade mark Composure under pressure was deteriorating, despite this O'Keefe backed up his All-Australian form of 2006 with a memorable performance through the 07 season, once again finishing second in the votes for the Bob Skilton medal behind Brett Kirk who also was one of few shining lights for the Swans.

[edit] 2008

After a strong start to the season, increased pressure was placed on O'Keefe following the injury/suspension of main forward target Barry Hall.

[edit] Personal Life

When Ryan was completing his education at St. Kevin's College, Toorak, he sadly lost his younger brother Aaron in a tragic car accident. On the 12th January 2008, O'Keefe married Tara Duggan.

[edit] External links

• Ryan O'Keefe profile on the Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club
• Profile
• Australian newspaper article

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