THERE’S plenty of competition for spots ahead of Round 1, and Tim O’Brien did his chances no harm with a promising performance against Richmond on Saturday.
O’Brien was one of four goal-kickers for the Hawks in their 71-point defeat, finishing with nine disposals and a team high five-marks.
“Building on NAB 1, I’ve still got a bit to go but I’m slowly improving,” he said post-game.
“The result was pretty disappointing, but it isn’t everything during the NAB Challenge. We’re working on a few things – and there’s still a bit of work to do before Round 1 comes.”
After making his AFL debut in 2014, playing four games, O’Brien was forced to bide his time in the VFL last season.
The 21-year-old showed plenty of aggression in contests against the Tigers, before coolly slotting his first with a drop punt from the boundary early in the final term.
O'Brien's earned praise from coach Brett Ratten after the match for his performance.
“Tim O’Brien’s efforts, whether he was marking the ball or competing with oppo ball as well, I thought it was a big step up for him,” Ratten said.
“He had more involvements in the game which was good.
"He's a talented kid and he's heading in the right direction and he's taken a little step today."
Without the likes of fellow key forwards Jarryd Roughead (knee) and Jack Gunston (shin), O’Brien said it was an exciting opportunity to step up.
“We’d obviously love to have Rough and Gunners down there, but there’s a bit of energy down there with all the young guys (in the forward line),” he said.
“We’re working on it as a young group at the moment. It’s a bit of a work in progress but we’ll get there.”
With his strongest pre-season behind him since joining the club in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, O’Brien is confident he can keep improving and press a claim for Round 1 selection.
“I’ve done the most pre-season training since I’ve been at the club, so I’ve done the work and I’ve just got to turn that into performances now,” he said.
“My main focus during pre-season has been my aggression around the contest and strength in the contest, and just halving contests if I’m out of position.
“The ultimate goal is to play in Round 1.
“There’s obviously a few other options that they can go with, but I’m just going to try to keep building on these performances and put my name up for Round 1 against the Cats.”
