Reilly O’Brien has set himself up for a big year, after missing the final 2 games of the 2021 season with injury he is progressing well this pre-season.
O’Brien has competition for the No.1 ruck position at Adelaide, Kieran Strachan was impressive late last year replacing O’Brien which has put pressure on his spot over pre-season.
He discussed his competition on Monday.
“It’s been really good for me I think in terms of spurring me on and giving me that necessity to really fight for my spot in the team and improve,”
“But I’ve really enjoyed that challenge and it’s certainly helped me, we certainly push each other to get better.” O’Brien said.
O’Brien also stated that he’s in great shape currently and looking forward to a big year with high aspirations.
“I’ve got pretty high aspirations for myself (in 2022), I want to be the best ruckman in the competition.”
“So been working really hard over the break and over pre-season,”
“I think physically I’m in the best spot I’ve ever been in terms of strength, in terms of getting a few niggles that I’ve probably fought with the last couple of years out.”
AFL News on Twitter @aflratings “So feeling physically
fittest and strongest and most sound I’ve ever felt.”
“From that I’ve been able to continue to work on my weapons in terms of my ruck craft, my follow-up around the contests and my marking around the ground.”
AFL Game Day on Twitter @aflratings_Live “I feel really well
set up for a really big year and looking forward to it.” O’Brien added.
He averaged 14.7 Disposals, 3.6 Marks, 2.8 Tackles & 29.4 Hit Outs from 20 games in 2021.
Source: Adelaide
Image: Adelaide
Fantasy Impact: Reilly’OBrien averaged 86.2pts from 20 games in 2021, he scored a season high 135pts in Round 4 against Nth Melbourne.
Since claiming the No.1 ruck position from Sam Jacobs back in 2019 O’Brien has been solid from a fantasy perspective, in 2021 he was hampered by injury late in the year which limited his output.
At the age of 26 O’Brien is right in that sweet spot to produce strong fantasy numbers, a strong pre-season thus far is certainly noteworthy.
AFL Fantasy News on Twitter @aflratings_FS
O’Brien is a consideration in season long fantasy at Round 1, there is upside scoring potential available based on his previous historical output while ownership is expected to be low.
It’s worth moving him up a few places on your draft boards in single season draft leagues.
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