30 Facts About Ryan O'Keefe

Ryan O'Keefe was born on 24 January 1981 and is a former professional Australian rules footballer with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League, and was part of the Swans' 2005 and 2012 premiership-winning sides.

Ryan O'Keefe is known for his superb fitness and running ability, as well as his strong marking overhead.

Ryan O'Keefe is among the very best in the AFL in terms of ground coverage.

Ryan O'Keefe is a terrific left-foot kick, which has served him well since he transformed from a defender to a forward early in his career with the Swans.

In 2015 Ryan O'Keefe began his coaching career as a midfield development coach with Adelaide.

Ryan O'Keefe was educated at St Kevin's College in Melbourne, where he was the football team captain.

Ryan O'Keefe played for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup.

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Ryan O'Keefe was drafted in the 1999 AFL Draft with the 56th selection.

Ryan O'Keefe's family had lost another son at nine months of age to sudden infant death syndrome when Ryan was 5 years old.

10.

Ryan O'Keefe struggled to maintain his place in the Sydney side in his first few years at the club, but his form improved when he concentrated more on running and less on weight training.

11.

Ryan O'Keefe shifted from defence to a midfield and attack role.

12.

Ryan O'Keefe played all 26 games in Sydney's premiership year of 2005, having a particularly brilliant finals series, and played one of the best games of his career in the Preliminary Final against the Saints.

13.

Ryan O'Keefe had a highly successful series, scoring more points than any other player.

14.

Ryan O'Keefe was awarded the Jim Stynes medal for the best Australian player in the series.

15.

Ryan O'Keefe played his 100th AFL game in Round 7 against Richmond.

16.

Ryan O'Keefe came equal second in the running for the Bob Skilton Medal, which is annually awarded to the Best and Fairest player at the Sydney Swans, to one of the three Co-Captains, Brett Kirk.

17.

Ryan O'Keefe backed up his All-Australian form of 2006 with a memorable performance through the 07 season, finishing second in the votes for the Bob Skilton medal behind Brett Kirk who was one of shining lights for the Swans.

18.

Ryan O'Keefe then signed a 4-year contract with the Sydney Swans.

19.

Ryan O'Keefe attracted press criticism after making a slow start to the 2009 season, but after moving into a midfield role he performed strongly through the majority of the 2009 season, and was rewarded by being selected as the Bob Skilton medallist for the season.

20.

Ryan O'Keefe sustained a groin injury later in the year which severely hampered his ability to cover the ground with his elite endurance.

21.

Ryan O'Keefe did manage to play some impressive football however, particularly against Hawthorn at the SCG when he blanketed Luke Hodge while kicking four goals himself.

22.

Since the end of the season, Ryan O'Keefe has had groin surgery and will be able to participate in pre-season training.

23.

Ryan O'Keefe spent most of his time in the midfield, though did play some meaningful roles up forward late in the year, kicking 4 goals in the Elimination Final against StKilda at Etihad Stadium in a BOG performance and then kicking 3 the next week against Hawthorn in the Swans' Semi Final Loss at the MCG.

24.

Ryan O'Keefe finished 4th in the Bob Skilton Medal count for season 2011.

25.

Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith Medal after his side the Sydney Swans beat Hawthorn by 10 points in the 2012 AFL Grand Final, the first Swans player to do so since the medal's inception in 1979.