Past Player of the Week - Ryan O'Connor

[The Speaker]

Ryan O'Connor

​

DOB: 27/06/1974
​

Height: 192 cm

Weight: 107 kg

Playing number: 41 (1994-1995), 3 (1996-1998)

Arrived: Drafted with pick 37 in the 1991 AFL draft

Debut: Round 7 vs Hawthorn, 1994

Games: 63

Goals: 47

Won: Alex Jesaulenko Medal - 1995
Margarey Medal - 2001

Departed: Traded to Sydney at the end of the 1998 season

Ryan O'Connor was a big unit from Ulverstone who played as a ruckman and forward. Drafted in 1991, he spent two years in the reserves, including a premiership in 1992, before making his senior debut in 1994. It was in 1995 that he made his mark, playing 18 games, as well as playing for the Allies in State of Origin and winning the Alex Jesaulenko Medal. During 1995 and 1996 he racked up disposals playing forward, as well as playing as the second ruckman.

However, he was involved in a car crash in 1997, and from that point onwards his form tapered. Despite playing 30 games over '97 and '98, he was traded to Sydney, where he played for two more years. Following his delisting at the end of 2000, he went to play for the Port Adelaide Magpies, and was a joint winner of the 2001 Margarey Medal. He now works as the talent manager for the Sandringham Dragons.

 

[The Speaker]

If someone could confirm that the O'Connor at the Dragons is this O'Connor that would be great.

 

[Doss]

The big bad bustling Rhino. He was a massive lump of a lad.

 

[Vander18]

Just a very, very large man wasn't he. In terms of footballing attributes he was very...umm...he had great...he was....he was just large really.

Limited skills but was a competitor who had a crack every time he donned the red and black. Always remember that type fondly - Barnard (although a much better player) is another in that category.

 

[Beerfish]

Wow. Had no idea he won a Margarey. Must have been a pretty good season.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Just a very, very large man wasn't he. In terms of footballing attributes he was very...umm...he had great...he was....he was just large really.

Limited skills but was a competitor who had a crack every time he donned the red and black. Always remember that type fondly - Barnard (although a much better player) is another in that category.

Yep

Remember him like it was yesterday.

 

[yaco55]

I always think of Laycock when discussing O'Connor. Laycock had more polish than Rhino, but lacked his intensity. If only we could have swapped each players best attributes.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

107 kegs is generous.

 

[Coldacre]

legs like tree trunks.


there's a nice 'photobomb' from him in the 1993 Bomber Blitz VHS/DVD when Bomber is being interviewed after the grand final, the big Rhino is in the background enjoying a schooner

 

[Pweter]

My memory of him is very much the Kevin Sheedy role player type. Someone who comes in to compliment the quality in the team, someone that will play every game like it's his last and leave nothing behind.

I get the impression he would've been a good club man as he probably knew he didn't have the best skillset nor physical attributes but was living the dream and playing at the highest level, therefore would've made every minute count. That and the bloke was built like he could demolish a slab and still handle himself alright. Would like it if someone could confirm or deny this.

 

[daffo]

Good old Rhino. I was sad when he left. I have that card at home somewhere.

 

[Halftimehero]

He was a huge man, best game I remember him playing was for the ALLIES and winning the best on ground medal.

 

[vaughany]

Rhino!!

 

[byronstjames]

Met Rhino in the rooms after our 1994 game against Geelong.

Top guy who seemed genuinely nice. Took some time out to talk to a skinnny 17 year old.

He was f*cken wide!!

 

[BrunoV]

107 kegs is generous.

107kg in his bra.

 

[Sealz]

Haha big Rhino!

I never knew he was a fellow Tasmanian.

Like others I remember him as a big bastard who rocked a glove.

 

[windyhill]

Some things are best left un-said

 

[Splash Brother]

Saw Big Rhino after the Anzac Day game this year at a pub in Bridge Road. Was weird seeing someone so big off field acting like Hayden Ballantyne on field.

 

[Doss]

legs like tree trunks.


there's a nice 'photobomb' from him in the 1993 Bomber Blitz VHS/DVD when Bomber is being interviewed after the grand final, the big Rhino is in the background enjoying a schooner

Was that Rhino?

I've just trawled through my memory bank and yes, it actually was!

Did he have his brother with him too?

I recall two very...um..daggy looking boys in the background post game making utter gooses of themselves.