AFL Sydney Rising Star nominees – Week Seven
Photo courtesy of Pennant Hills Media.
AFL Sydney Men’s Week Seven Rising Star nominee
Name: Bailey O’Brien
Nickname: Bails
AFL Sydney Club: Pennant Hills Demons
Position: Half Back (aspiring to be a midfield on-baller)
Junior Club: No junior Club – 2018 first year of football
Favourite activity to do outside of football: Shopping for sneakers and working out (he is a Personal Trainer).
What is one thing that we don’t know about this Rising Star that they are well known for around the club? Bailey is an accomplished junior basketballer with virtually no footy experience. He was fortunate enough to win 3 National Gold medals playing basketball. He was thinking to head to the US to play college basketball before changing course to chase the Footy Dream.
What role do they play for the club both on and off the field? He’s still establishing his role within the club both on the field and off, as it is only his first year of footy. He brings a strong work ethic and disciplined approach to his preparation, training, and on-field performance.
The night before the game what will they most likely be doing? Early night in, watching the footy on TV, stretching and ensuring he is physically and mentally prepared for the game the following day.
Do they have any pre-game superstitions? Bailey has an extensive stretching routine which he performs religiously in the same order before every training session and every game.
Reason for nomination this round: Bailey O’Brien is new to the code in season 2018 but is nevertheless holding his spot in the Pennant Hills Demons Premier Division squad. He has played every game so far this season, improving every week. Playing at half-back, he kicked his first career goal in Round 6 versus UTS Bats.
Coach quote on Performance:
“Bailey’s story is quite remarkable. Coming to the Club this season as a high achieving junior basketballer, with virtually no footy experience, Bailey impressed in the pre-season and earned his spot in Round 1, debuting in Premier Division.
His high level of basketball has clearly provided some transferable skills to Aussie Rules. He has fantastic hand-eye coordination, speed, agility, and the ability to make good decisions under pressure. He has already a great abilty to read the play after only a handful of games. He is very competitive, rarely beaten in a contest and his skill level gets better each week. He has physical presence on-field and is highly motivated to improve all aspects of his game.
Somewhere, somehow he has quickly mastered the drop punt and it is not an over-statement to say that he is a ‘natural’. Two weeks ago against UTS Bats, playing half-back, he even bobbed-up and kicked his first goal for the season. Bailey is a player of great promise.” – Chris Yard, Pennant Hills Senior Coach
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