Australian Football

Daryl O'Brien joined North Melbourne from West Coburg and was handed his senior VFL debut in 1960. However, playing mainly as a half forward flanker, he signally failed to set the world on fire, and managed just a handful of games before being consigned to the seconds, where he went on to spend the whole of the following season. At one point, he actually requested a clearance to Footscray, but the North hierarchy, presumably believing he still had the potential to make his mark, turned him down.

In 1962, O'Brien once again made the league side, this time as a half back flanker, and he swiftly adapted to the position as though born to it. Pacy, tenacious and tough, he typically stuck to his direct opponent like a limpet, and soon became acknowledged as one of the hardest men to beat one on one in the league. By the time he retired in 1969 he had played a total of 135 VFL games and kicked eight goals, in the process eminently justifying the club's determination to hang onto him eight years earlier.

Author - John Devaney