O'Brien was drafted by the Adelaide Football Club with their first selection and ninth overall in the 2014 rookie draft.[3]
AFL career
Reilly O'Brien made his debut in the 138-point win against the Brisbane Lions in round 20, 2016 at the Adelaide Oval.[4] He didn't play much football between 2016 and 2019, but broke into the side after Sam Jacobs sustained an injury.[5] Jacobs was traded to Greater Western Sydney at the end of the 2019 AFL season, leaving O'Brien as Adelaide's primary ruckman going into the 2020 AFL season.[6] Despite Adelaide's least successful season in their history, O'Brien thrived under his new role, winning the Malcolm Blight Medal in just his first season as the primary ruck. His fantastic form was rewarded with a contract extension to keep him at Adelaide until 2025.[7] In 2023, with Riley Thilthorpe as his back-up ruckman, O'Brien lead the competition for hit-outs.[8]
Personal life
Outside of football O’Brien has completed a medical science degree at Flinders University. He has since undertaken post graduate study, both in business administration and public health through Torrens University.[9] He has also completed postgraduate study in neuroscience through King’s College.[10]
O’Brien graduated from high school with an ATAR of 99.75.[11]
^The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.