It doesn't happen as often in AFL as it does in the NFL, but Reilly O'Brien turned out to be a very important fantasy handcuff for Sam Jacobs owners last year as he inherited the mantle of lone ruck at the Crows in round 3 and become startable after a breakout performance in round 7 where he went on a 13-game run averaging 105. Those who rode his rise to fantasy finals were let down in August, however, as Jacobs was recalled for round 21 to showcase him for an off-season trade to GWS. That trade now leaves O'Brien as the unchallenged lead ruck at Adelaide, as Billy Frampton is now primarily a forward who would only support him. It is too early to say he is going to join the very top echelon of fantasy rucks at this stage, but there are a lot of teams running with some thin depth charts at that position and he has shown he can fill his boots against lesser mortals. His draft position should be somewhere in middle rounds, as he lacks some red flags that others with more ability have to face.
O'Brien through glass ceiling
It doesn't happen as often in AFL as it does in the NFL, but Reilly O'Brien turned out to be a very important fantasy handcuff for Sam Jacobs owners last year as he inherited the mantle of lone ruck at the Crows in round 3 and become startable after a breakout performance in round 7 where he went on a 13-game run averaging 105. Those who rode his rise to fantasy finals were let down in August, however, as Jacobs was recalled for round 21 to showcase him for an off-season trade to GWS. That trade now leaves O'Brien as the unchallenged lead ruck at Adelaide, as Billy Frampton is now primarily a forward who would only support him. It is too early to say he is going to join the very top echelon of fantasy rucks at this stage, but there are a lot of teams running with some thin depth charts at that position and he has shown he can fill his boots against lesser mortals. His draft position should be somewhere in middle rounds, as he lacks some red flags that others with more ability have to face.
Time to call on O'Brien
It was another fruitless SANFL campaign for Reilly O'Brien last season, often asked to play tandem with younger listed Crows, and cut short by injury for the second year running. He topped 40 hit outs on rare occasions when playing lone ruck. He typically handballs twice as often as kicking, and mostly does little of either. Sam Jacobs visibly slowed down last season, and the jungle drums are beating loudly that it's O'Brien's time. Placing third in the preseason 2km time trial only added volume. Even if he does get handed the mantle, don't expect him to be a fantasy factor as he puts the lumber into tall timber.
Quiet life of O'Brien
With Sam Jacobs playing every senior game in 2017, Reilly O'Brien spent the season in the SANFL, picking up a late-season back injury as well. He averaged a goal plus 29 hit outs per game, spending a couple of matches forward. O'Brien is only viable to draft very late as a handcuff for whoever also snags Jacobs, as he would be a worthy replacement should Sauce get injured. Wasting a bench spot on a ruck is not common in AFL draft leagues, though.
