Name: Lochie O'Brien
Position: Outside Midfielder
Club: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
DOB: 18-9-1999
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg
Draft range: 10-20

Summary: Classy outside midfielder with damaging disposal and exceptional work rate. Has been likened to Nick Dal Santo.

Strengths:

  • Kicking
  • Endurance
  • Speed
  • Burst from the contest
  • Lethal disposal
  • Work rate

Weaknesses:

  • Injury interrupted draft year

Overview

O'Brien entered the year as perhaps the most talented midfielder in the draft pool, but injury stalled his campaign. He is a damaging user of the ball, with a classy kick, accurate handballing and exceptional game-reading ability.

His excellent endurance and work rate mean is a strong two-way runner and this allows him to dictate play and create from deep in defence as well as in attack.

Recruiters may be concerned that his body may not be up to the rigours of AFL footy, after suffering several injuries which have hardly helped his draft stock over the past 12 months.

Regardless, Lochie O'Brien is a natural footballer who, if not for injury, would be well inside this year's top 10. O'Brien would be a perfect fit for a club looking for midfield class, particularly St Kilda and North Melbourne.

Highlights