The HOT ROK 200 Game Thread

[Lucky Knickers]

Yes RWOers our favourite POLL Option is playing his 200th game for the Swans this weekend against Richmond.

Post your favourite Ryan O'Keefe football memory here in celebration of this great milestone.

[liz]

Hard to pick favourite moments but I clearly remember the first time I sat up and noticed ROK.

It was a Friday night SFL game up at NSO. I am not entirely sure of the year but Brett Allison was also playing in the team so I think it must have been 2000. Can remember practically nothing about the game other than a very young, strongly built, blonde lad giving away a 50m penalty, and then another as he reacted fiestily to the first. Who's this kid, I asked myself?

I also fondly remember R1 2005 when we hosted the Hawks at the SCG on a beautifully sunny, early autumn Sydney afternoon. It was probably about 10 minutes in a fairly lacklustre first quarter when ROK chased down a Hawk from 20m or so back and nailed him in a text book tackle. BALLLLLLL! I recall sitting back contently in my seat and thinking "ah, yes, footy's back!" It seemed to spark the Swans into action and we went on to wallop the Hawks for the remainder of the afternoon. That remains my personal "opening bookend" to that season, one with the best "closing bookend" ever.

[Cheer Squad]

Ryan's just one of those guys who goes about his business with the minimum of fuss. He's been consistent for us most of the time he's been in the seniors. Have to say it's hard to think of any memorable moments though.

[Bloody Hell]

I remember he and Fixter both had breakout games in the same game. One kicked three, the other four.

Both really impressed.

[liz]

Have to say it's hard to think of any memorable moments though.

"How can this bloke be on his own?"

(2005 PF, final quarter, when he takes uncontested mark in forward line having ripped the Saints to shreds all night.)

2008 EF against North where the stats don't tell us he was dominant but on 4 or 5 occasions in the second half he set Hall up for one-on-one contests against Gibson by taking strong marks in middle of ground and playing on immediately with a long, directed kick forward.

2002, also against the Roos, night game, Hall out suspended, ROK thrown forward for possibly the first time in his career, pretty much wins the game off his own boot with 4 goals, several of them from long range.

Those are just 3 off the top of my head in a matter of a few moments.

[Bloody Hell]

Finally, a thread to separate out the NARF's.

[dimelb]

Favourite moment - the thriller against Geelong in the 2005 finals - that long raking torp to Davis. FanTAStic! I was out of my seat yelling at the TV.

[ScottH]

His Kick to Davis, for goal #3(?) in that 2005 final v Cats.

[Wardy]

He is a quiet achiever on the field, doesnt try to be flashy - he just gets on with it. His chicken curry recipe is also very good (have used it a number of times!)

[Lucky Knickers]

Why is the thread title changed?

[Bindo]

A few from a different angle.

A close game against the Pies at ANZ a number of years ago. Family in front of us, all Swans members from the central coast. Two youngest kids mucking up and Dad reaching the end of his tether. Tries to get Mum to intervene just as ROK takes a mark 30m out from goal. She says to them all, "not now, Mummy's just watching her future husband kicking a goal'.

Just this year, first game at SCG, my member mate and I were just going through the new players and putting names to faces etc, when I said, 'but ROKs still got the best arse in AFL' and the woman to my right laughed and said 'I was just thinking the same thing'.

[Primmy]

Ressies; watching him prowl the goal square, watching the play right down the other end and never losing concentration; I thought to myself "we have a keeper, the blond brick with legs".

[giant]

"How can this bloke be on his own?"

(2005 PF, final quarter, when he takes uncontested mark in forward line having ripped the Saints to shreds all night.)

2008 EF against North where the stats don't tell us he was dominant but on 4 or 5 occasions in the second half he set Hall up for one-on-one contests against Gibson by taking strong marks in middle of ground and playing on immediately with a long, directed kick forward.

2002, also against the Roos, night game, Hall out suspended, ROK thrown forward for possibly the first time in his career, pretty much wins the game off his own boot with 4 goals, several of them from long range.

Those are just 3 off the top of my head in a matter of a few moments.

This clearly his finest moment - he tore poor old Brett Voss a new one that night.

[Yuri H]

Finally, a thread to separate out the NARF's.

Ahh, I expose my naivete to ask .... whassa NARF?

[Chookbilly]

Unfortunately, the memory that sticks in my mind the most is a bad one..... And I love the guy.

I remember his kick being smothered by Daniel Chick in the '06 Grand Final, allowing wet toast to run into an open goal, and kill any chance of a back to back flag.

....... Don't get me wrong, I don't blame him. It's unfortunately what sticks in my mind, as his highlight reel isn't all that flashy.