AFL games: 19

Disposals per game: 11.5

One per-centers: 3.3

Contested marks: 1.3

 

Season summary:

Tim O’Brien maintained his spot in the senior side for 19 games in 2021 - the most he has played in a year during his nine seasons in the brown and gold.

After sharing his time between forward and ruck duties last season and earlier this year, the 27-year-old found a new role in defence towards the end of the season.

The 193cm target has been a fixture in the forward line for most of his career, but he ended up shifting down back and impressed particularly across the last five games of 2021.

In his side's Round 15 clash against Greater Western Sydney, O'Brien took an amazing grab, landing him as a finalist for Mark of the Year.

O'Brien averaged 2.9 intercept possessions, 2.9 spoils and 1.3 contested grabs for the season.

Flying O'Brien announced as a Mark of the Year finalist

00:55

R15: O'Brien takes a screamer!

Tim O'Brien put ball first as he flew into the waiting pack to take this sure bet contender for Mark of the Year.

Best AFL game:

With a 24 touches, a game-high 14 intercept possessions, six spoils and three contested marks, O'Brien's effort in the Hawks' upset win against the Bulldogs in Round 22 saw him reach a career-best performance.

How the fans saw him: