O'BRIEN, Nick

Nick O'Brien was recruited from North Ballarat Rebels with pick 59 in the 2011 National Draft. He had captained St Patrick's College, Ballarat, to victory in the MCC Herald-Sun Shield and was seen as a mature young player with good leadership qualities.

He made his senior debut in Round 22, 2012, against Richmond at the MCG, joining an elite group by scoring a goal with his first kick.

Originally playing at half-forward, O'Brien was moulded into a running midfielder, however he found limited opportunities to break into the seniors' midfield.

He spent 2014 in the Bombers' VFL team and finished second in their best and fairest award.

O'Brien was delisted at the end of 2015 and moved to Woodville-West Torrens in Adelaide, where he led the club to the 2016 grand final and finished runner-up in the Magarey Medal.

He returned to Essendon in 2017 to captain the VFL team then moved to EDFL team, Strathmore, in 2018 and in 2022, he played a key role in that club's first premiership since 2014.

After playing 59 games with Strathmore, O'Brien returned to his junior club, Carngham Linton, in the Central Highlands Football Netball League in 2023. His brother, Dean, joined him there.