Heritier O'Brien

Infobox afl player | firstname = Heritier
lastname = O'Brien




birthdate = birth date and age|df=yes|1986|11|15
birthplace = Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
originalteam = Claremont Football Club (WAFL)
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 18, 31 July 2005
debutteam = Collingwood
debutopponent = Fremantle
debutstadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground
playingteams = Collingwood (2005-)

60 games, 3 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2008
careerhighlights =

Heritier "Harry" O'Brien (born 15 November 1986) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League

He was born to a Brazilian mother and a Congolese father in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to Western Australia when he was 3 years old. [cite web| url=http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/african-journey-helps-obrien/2008/02/11/1202578694113.html | title=African journey helps O'Brien | accessdate=2007-02-12 | publisher=Realfooty.com.au | language=English ] However he was raised by his Australian step-father and only years ago found out about his biological fatherFact|date=April 2008. He supported the Essendon Bombers as a child, with his family owning a pet dog named Sheedy after the long-time Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy.

The 188 cm O'Brien, who has played most of his football as a medium defender (in the style of James Clement), has the distinction of being the first Brazilian-born player in the Australian Football League. He was picked up with pick 21 in the 2004 AFL Rookie Draft by Collingwood, and made his debut in Round 18 of 2005 against Fremantle at the MCG. He kicked a great goal against the Kangaroos shortly after his debut, and did enough to be retained on the rookie list. In 2006 Harry showed brilliant improvement and showed his ability to keep his feet in contests.

He was elevated to the senior list again during the year, this time due to the absence of Sean Rusling, O'Brien would play 9 games.

Coach Mick Malthouse at one point in an interview challenged the AFL's rules on rookies in response to not being able to permanently play O'Brien in the seniors on the basis of his excellent form.

He was elevated to the senior list for season 2007.

In 2007 he was noted for keeping Scott Lucas, Nick Riewoldt and Cameron Mooney goalless even though he was undersized for a key defender.

Harry O'Brien's nicknames include: Harry O, Windscreens O'Brien, Silky Skills O'Brien, Smooth Dukes O'Brien, Smooth Mover.

In 2008, he came 5th in the Copeland Trophy count, Collingwood's Best and Fairest.

Trivia

*His teamates have many nicknames for him, but generally just call him 'H'
* Is nicknamed "Harry-O" by the Triple M commentary team.
* He used to live with teammates Nick Maxwell and Sean Rusling.

References

External links

*collplayer|ref=352486
*AflRleague|ref=H/Harry_OBrien.html