Tim O'Brien has been the subject of trade speculation lately as pundits take a hard look at Hawthorn's list in the wake of their bottom-four result in 2020. His role has reverted from high half forward to more of a traditional centre half forward role this season, sometimes drifting to defence during games in a role filled in recent years by the retired Jarryd Roughead. Lack of supply, both quantity and quality, has lowered his fantasy output and he's a bounceback candidate next season as Tom Mitchell regains full power and the Hawks reload.
Tim O'Brien has been the subject of trade speculation lately as pundits take a hard look at Hawthorn's list in the wake of their bottom-four result in 2020. His role has reverted from high half forward to more of a traditional centre half forward role this season, sometimes drifting to defence during games in a role filled in recent years by the retired Jarryd Roughead. Lack of supply, both quantity and quality, has lowered his fantasy output and he's a bounceback candidate next season as Tom Mitchell regains full power and the Hawks reload.
TOB in between
Fielded at both ends of the ground at various stages in 2019, key tall Tim O'Brien shone upon his late season return to the forward line. Playing at half back, he was forced to learn a new craft and often struggled with the adaptation. Over the final five fixtures as a forward, he kicked 12 goals including four against the Eagles in round 23. O'Brien has demonstrated his capacity as a forward when in form and expectations will be high for the upcoming campaign. While exciting for Hawthorn fans, his dominant goal scoring patch failed to materialise into fantasy scores. Unlikely to ever be a desirable fantasy commodity.
TOB in the dead zone
Starting his sixth year in the senior side, Tim O’Brien helped in defence for the first two rounds, then went forward but kicked a goal just twice in his eight other games. He also provided a chop out in the ruck, although he won the hit out in only 25% of contests. After the 2017 season suggested O’Brien was capable at the top level, the last twelve months suggested otherwise. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the South Australian must improve to stay on the list and is not worthy of fantasy consideration.
Tim O'Brien has quietly started paying off the massive investment Hawthorn put in him after recovering from multiple knee reconstructions to play all but one game so far in 2018. He was a popular pick in salary cap competitions due to a reduced price and, while he has never threatened to become a low-end keeper, he has done the job asked of him by fantasy coaches. The smart play is to offload him at this point, as there are no guarantees that he won't succumb to late-season niggles with his long injury rap sheet. Today should be lucrative, at least.
Meat needed in O'Brien pan
In his fifth year, it took until round 4 for the Hawks to select Tim O'Brien but he played every game when fit after that, booting 19.6 up forward then spending much of August in defence. He also played a ruck support role, though never registering more than five hit outs in a game. With Jonathon Ceglar fit for 2018, O'Brien is likely to settle forward after spending much of the off season in the weights room in an attempt to finally fill out his willowy frame. Even if he turns into a reliable goalkicker, a lack of accumulation means he is unlikely to be draft-worthy.
