Player Watch Reilly O'Brien - Re-Signed to End of 2028

[MarcusP2]

The only way the rule changes benefit ROB is if clubs play athletic rucks that ROB can wrestle and beat at around the ground stoppages, and if there are lots of around the ground stoppages with minimal center bounces.

Time for ultra defensive no goals. Nicks happy place.

 

[GreyCrow]

Rucks don't mark it that much anymore

That he is number 11 says this is a lie

 

[GreyCrow]

Tim English at just over 6 and 3 others at 5 or above suggests this is an important stat for rucks

The leader at 8+ is Wilkie - I don't think 8 to 6 is a big leap

 

[Kenny Dee]

That he is number 11 says this is a lie

Tim English ave 6
Gawn 5.6
Cameron 5.1
Marshall 4.5

 

[Doctor B]

From the first play, you can see ROB's technique.

Running forward to block the opposition ruck getting a jump at the ball is his MO.

ROB can't jump, the new rule will hurt him at centre bounces.

Match Replay: Adelaide v Hawthorn

The Crows and Hawks clash in the first semi final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

www.afl.com.au

 

[GreyCrow]

Tim English ave 6
Gawn 5.6
Cameron 5.1
Marshall 4.5

So do you think it's important or not?

 

[Kenny Dee]

So do you think it's important or not?

You don't think 6-8 is a big leap but 3-5 is?

 

[GreyCrow]

You don't think 6-8 is a big leap but 3-5 is?

I never said 8-6 was anything

Just posted the stats that say RoB is shit at marking

You are the one trying to minimise it

Do you think 3 to 8 is minimal? That 3 to 6 is minimal?

I don't

 

[Scorpus]

How often does ROB not taking a mark concede the ball to the opposition vs other rucks?

Feels like he either has epic clangers or allows his opponent to bully him in the air, but he rarely brings the ball to ground for a contest

 

[1970crow]

How often does ROB not taking a mark concede the ball to the opposition vs other rucks?

Feels like he either has epic clangers or allows his opponent to bully him in the air, but he rarely brings the ball to ground for a contest

Him and Tex

 

[spenze]

His one advantage is gone now.

I didn't see the rule change for not heading the ball anymore

 

[AFC979810]

Tim English at just over 6 and 3 others at 5 or above suggests this is an important stat for rucks

No it doesn't. What a terrible take.

Look at what the main ruckman did for the other finalists.

Premiers Ruckman - Darcy Fort 1.9 marks a game. Big Mac 1.6 marks a game.
Grand finalist Primary ruckman - Stanley 2.1 marks a game
Prelim finalist Ruckman - Lloyd Meek 2 marks a game
Prelim finalist Ruckman - Cameron 5.1 marks a game.

Finalist GWS - Kieran Briggs 2 marks a game
Finalist Gold Coast - Witts 1.6 marks a game
Finalist Freo - Sean Darcy 1.6 marks a game.

ROB outmarked 6 of the 7 finalists #1 ruckman.

Its a silly stat that means Sweet F all.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

RIP Reilly O'Brien as the AFL removes the ability to cross the center line and wrestle in the ruck at center ball ups

Watch examples of the seven rule changes that will impact 2026

Ruck contests, the stand rule, and the 'last disposal' out of bounds rule are among a host of changes ahead of 2026

www.afl.com.au

If he plays it smart it could help him. Could use it to stop other rucks from jumping into him

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

The issue for ROB isn't that he did this to other rucks, he's a stand and deliver ruck that goes for the tap and protects the drop zone.

The issue is twofold. One, the AFL has removed unpredictability in the ball trajectory by going for the ball up, so there is no advantage in finding the drop zone and more advantage in reaching the ball at a higher point. And two, the obvious counter to this would have been, as an unathletic ruck, crossing the center line to guard the space in the exact middle of the circle - which is banned.

Clubs now have an incentive to play a ruck that will reach the ball at its highest point, and this can't be easily defended against by wrestling or engaging in a territory battle at ground level.

ROB will now only be able to wrestle/guard space at stoppage ruck contests, which the AFL are also trying to minimize through the last touch rule.

The only way the rule changes benefit ROB is if clubs play athletic rucks that ROB can wrestle and beat at around the ground stoppages, and if there are lots of around the ground stoppages with minimal center bounces.

ROB losing the hit outs will be beneficial for us

 

[whattagun07]

You don't think 6-8 is a big leap but 3-5 is?

33% increase vs 66% increase.
Double

 

[George CantStandYa]

ROB losing the hit outs will be beneficial for us

It’s ok, we’ve got VB to plan for us to play to losing ruck

 

[Pugsley]

It’s ok, we’ve got VB to plan for us to play to losing ruck

What are the rocks telling you Nathan?

 

[DJ75]

That part definitely, however his aerobic base will help when the umpires will no longer wait for ruckmen to arrive at the contest

Going to be fun watching him get to the contest, be the only ruck there and then hit the ball directly to the oppositions best mid.

 

[DJ75]

Leek Aleer wouldn’t have been a better option?

Odd that the AFL would make such a significant change AFTER trade week.

Actually not odd at all really. Seems consistent with the shitshow at AFL house.

 

[DJ75]

From the first play, you can see ROB's technique.

Running forward to block the opposition ruck getting a jump at the ball is his MO.

ROB can't jump, the new rule will hurt him at centre bounces.

Match Replay: Adelaide v Hawthorn

The Crows and Hawks clash in the first semi final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

www.afl.com.au

Can we get any worse there? Regularly destroyed at centre bounces.

 

[Scorpus]

Odd that the AFL would make such a significant change AFTER trade week.

Actually not odd at all really. Seems consistent with the shitshow at AFL house.

Everyone knew this rule would be implemented

 

[Slime Roy]

Well we know what ROB will be doing over the summer.

In the words of Feenix " Strap a contract to the Sherrin" & he'll find a way to get to it!
Had to laugh at DDF too "The only time ROB gets off the ground is on a post season flight"

 

[Scorpus]

Love to see some proof. Not saying there isnt any, but i cant remember anyone bringing up rule changes when discussing ROB during the season or his extension.

Only post i can see from you is the the following:

Rumour - Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025

Rumour Summary October 1st Adelaide expects a decision from Christian Petracca by Saturday, according to a poster (link) Christian Petracca's decision between Adelaide and Gold Coast is a 50/50, according to Tom Morris (link) Taylor Walker will sign a one-year contract extension, according to...

www.bigfooty.com

For those that dont want to click this is what you said once the season was over and our extension of ROB was almost 3 months old:

"If the rules change to stop negating rucks and ROB is the "best negating ruck" then basically we're ****ed"

I don't know if the rule was discussed before we signed ROB, but the post was related to trade week. Every club was well aware of the ruck rule change before trade week, it was being talked about during the season

 

[Floating Doughnut]

Everyone knew this rule would be implemented

Thinking of the rucks next year Rob is not the only one that will be disadvantaged at Cba’s.
Xerri,Witts,Nank,Darcy,Briggs,Meek,Oscar are all pretty well bolted to the ground.
TDK, Jackson, Draper, Bryan are your jumping types and should benefit.
The chance of a patella injury would keep Filthy out of the centre now for me, happy to have him
relief ruck around the ground. Not wanting to labour the point but I hope we are thinking of giving
Moose Maley a look at cba relief for Rob, reckon he would have the best leap of them all.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I don't know if the rule was discussed before we signed ROB, but the post was related to trade week. Every club was well aware of the ruck rule change before trade week, it was being talked about during the season

I would suggest there would have been strong industry discussions .....and the rule was only implemented after Club feedback

ROB might have been already close to final negotiations B4 the rule change was rumoured .....however, I don't think it would have had a material impact on ROB's Contract negotiations .....we needed a mature ruck, who else was there