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Pendles surges into the top 10

Scott Pendlebury's 31 possessions and two goals against Geelong saw him rocket into equal eighth on the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard.

1:06pm  May 22, 2013

Saturday night's Stats Central

Dissect all the important facts and figures from Saturday's win over the competition's pacesetters.

1:38am  May 19, 2013

O'Brien returns to leadership group

Reborn wingman Harry O'Brien has returned to Collingwood's leadership group four rounds into the 2013 home and away season.

2:15pm  Apr 23, 2013

Latest Player Video

Harry O'Brien Press Conference

12:12pm  May 10, 2011

Harry O'Brien contract extension

11:04am  Jan 28, 2011

Seniors List

8

Heritier
O'Brien

Height
188 cm
DOB
15-11-1986
Weight
91 kg
Debut
2005
Games
2013
9
Career
168
Goals
2013
2
Career
20
2013 Dream Team Points
Total
756
Avg
84
HeritierO'Brien

Player Bio

At A Glance

Junior Clubs: Diamond Creek
Clubs: -
Debut: Round 18 2005 v Fremantle
Recruited from: Northern U18
Brownlow Votes: 8

 

A cult figure among the Magpie Army with his dreadlocks, goatee and burgeoning social media profile, O'Brien is highly valued by teammates and coaches alike. Plays with flair at half back, giving the Magpies ample drive with his run and creativity. Has helped fill the void created by James Clement's retirement with his ability to counter opponents both tall and short. Possesses a booming right foot and is potent when left in the clear when pushing up to half forward. Now a team leader, O'Brien looks to be entering his prime.

Season By Season

Season By Season

Although he missed out on an All-Australian berth, O’Brien’s standards remained high in 2011. Averaged 17.5 disposals across 24 games, missing his first match (through a shoulder injury) since 2007 in round 20.

Had a career high 30 disposals in the tense qualifying final victory over West Coast, and was solid in the remaining two finals. Dropped from a season total of 62 tackles in 2010 to 43, and only managed one goal (down from six in 2010). Ended the year ranked eighth in the Copeland Trophy.

Was touted as a potential All-Australian selection as early as round one after his demolition of the Western Bulldogs where he won 25 disposals and picked up the three Brownlow votes. His galloping runs off half back become more frequent than ever, and his cult status was well and truly established in the eyes of the Magpie Army.

Added the ability to land a telling blow from outside fifty to his repertoire, and it was a testament to his standing in the game when Adelaide youngster Will Young received plaudits (and a new TV from commentator Matthew Lloyd) for restricting him to five possessions in round 21.

Struggled in the drawn Grand Final but bounced back with a superb display in the replay triumph. Finished ninth in the Copeland Trophy and fulfilled the pre-season predictions when he was named in the All-Australian team.

Went from good to great, producing another fine season in defence. O’Brien ran fourth in the Copeland Trophy, and received his first Darren Millane Trophy as best clubman. Was one of five players to play every game, and booted two important goals from long range in the finals.

Continued from where he left off in 2007, running into some sterling form to eventually finish fifth in the Copeland Trophy. He dramatically increased his possession count (329, up from 246 in 2007) and became a senior figure in the Collingwood backline.

 

Enjoyed a breakthrough season at half back, playing 23 of a possible 25 games and visibly improving in confidence and conviction with each week. His rebound and daring caught his opponents off guard, and while supporters initially had their hearts in their mouths, his attacking flair quickly became his trademark.

Missed two games mid-season after colliding with a goal post in the loss to Melbourne, but returned in round 14 to begin a stretch of 106 games without a miss. Enjoyed a solid finals campaign and finished in the top 10 of the Copeland Trophy for the first time (ninth).

Spent the season yo-yoing between the senior and rookie lists. Was quickly promoted to the senior list – and straight into the senior team – when Sean Rusling was placed on the long term injury-list. Played all games between rounds two and seven before returning to the rookie list after round seven.

Was again promoted back to the senior list when Blake Caracella was moved onto the long-term injury list after round 10. Returned from a six week stint in the VFL to travel to Port Adelaide in round 20, but his year was finished for good when he broke his leg.

Began the season in the Williamstown reserves, progressing to their senior team in round six of the VFL against Bendigo. Earned a chance for Collingwood late in the season when promoted from the rookie list, and managed four games late in the season.

Debuted in round 18 against Fremantle and didn’t look out of place in defence. Kicked a team lifting goal the following week against the Kangaroos when running down the ground. Returned to the rookie list at the end of the season.

Represented Western Australia at the National U18 Championships mid-year, but was not selected in the National Draft. He refused to give up on his dream, and phoned Collingwood’s football department and offered to pay his own way in return for a chance to train with the squad prior to the December drafts.

His ambition paid off when he was chosen by Collingwood with their second (and 20th overall) selection in the Rookie Draft.

Stats

By the numbers

  • 2013   Season Average
    Games Played 9
    • Kicks 14.7
    • Handballs 6.8
    • Disposals 21.4
    • Marks 6.3
    • Hit-Outs 0.0
    • Tackles 1.8
    • Goals 0.2
    • Dream Team 84.0

2013 Highlights

Statistics Best Opponent Round
Kicks 20 St Kilda Rd 6
Handballs 12 Geelong Cats Rd 8
Disposals 31 Geelong Cats Rd 8
Marks 9 Geelong Cats Rd 8
Hit-outs 0 - -
Tackles 5 St Kilda Rd 6
Goals 1 St Kilda Rd 6
Dream Team 125 St Kilda Rd 6

2013 Season Breakdown

Rd Opponent Result K H D M HO FF FA T G B DT
1 North Melbourne W 87 - 103 17 7 24 9 0 1 2 3 0 1 100
2 Carlton W 117 - 100 16 6 22 5 0 1 0 1 0 0 80
3 Hawthorn L 90 - 145 10 7 17 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 47
4 Richmond W 79 - 113 17 3 20 8 0 0 0 1 1 0 91
5 Essendon L 121 - 75 8 6 14 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 52
6 St Kilda W 103 - 77 20 7 27 8 0 1 0 5 1 0 125
7 Fremantle L 100 - 73 12 5 17 5 0 0 2 2 0 0 63
8 Geelong Cats W 102 - 96 19 12 31 9 0 2 0 3 0 1 123
9 Sydney Swans L 55 - 102 13 8 21 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 75
10 Brisbane Lions - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Melbourne - - - - - - - - - - -
12 Western Bulldogs - - - - - - - - - - -
14 Port Adelaide - - - - - - - - - - -
15 Carlton - - - - - - - - - - -
16 Adelaide Crows - - - - - - - - - - -
17 Gold Coast Suns - - - - - - - - - - -
18 GWS Giants - - - - - - - - - - -
19 Essendon - - - - - - - - - - -
20 Sydney Swans - - - - - - - - - - -
21 Hawthorn - - - - - - - - - - -
22 West Coast Eagles - - - - - - - - - - -
23 North Melbourne - - - - - - - - - - -
TOTAL W: 5 - L: 4 132 61 193 57 0 7 6 16 2 2 756

By the numbers

  • Career Average
    Games Played 168
    • Kicks 9.1
    • Handballs 5.9
    • Disposals 15.0
    • Marks 4.0
    • Hit-Outs 0.1
    • Tackles 2.1
    • Goals 0.1
    • Dream Team 58.3

Career Highlights

Statistics Best Opponent Round
Kicks 20 St Kilda Rd 6, 2013
Handballs 19 Brisbane Lions Rd 7, 2012
Disposals 31 Geelong Cats Rd 8, 2013
Marks 10 West Coast Eagles Rd 14, 2010
Hit-outs 4 Geelong Cats Rd 25, 2007
Tackles 9 Sydney Swans Rd 23, 2007
Goals 1 St Kilda Rd 6, 2013
Dream Team 125 St Kilda Rd 6, 2013

Career Breakdown

Season Club K H D M HO FF FA T G B DT
2013 Collingwood 132 61 193 57 0 7 6 16 2 2 756
2012 Collingwood 239 146 385 94 0 13 18 58 3 2 1502
2011 Collingwood 245 176 421 110 0 16 21 43 1 2 1550
2010 Collingwood 264 142 406 99 0 17 21 62 6 4 1615
2009 Collingwood 230 172 402 106 1 9 20 45 5 0 1512
2008 Collingwood 190 140 330 106 2 23 27 45 2 1 1305
2007 Collingwood 153 93 246 74 11 13 21 57 0 1 1057
2006 Collingwood 51 43 94 25 0 6 10 12 0 0 338
2005 Collingwood 22 16 38 8 0 3 2 7 1 1 154

Legend

K
Kicks
H
Handballs
D
Disposals
M
Marks
HO
Hit-outs
FF
Frees For
FA
Frees Against
T
Tackles
G
Goals
B
Behinds
DT
Dream Team

Awards

AFL Awards

Collingwood Premiership Side
2010 

Collingwood Pre-Season Premiership Side
2011

All Australian 
2010

Club Awards

Jack Regan Trophy (5th Best and Fairest)
2008

JF McHale Trophy (4th club Best and Fairest)
2009 

Darren Millane Trophy (Best Clubman)
2009