Ryan O'Keefe - Absolute legend of the Swans

[Ampersand]

It would be nice to see ROK find a home to have one or two more years in the AFL.

However, given his non-participation at senior level this year, did the Swans make a terrible mistake in not trading him at the end of last year? Could we have picked up a better draft pick?

I don't think anyone, including everyone on this board, thought ROK wasn't in our best 22 at the start of the year. If he'd been traded and played 23 senior games for another club (and there are plenty of other clubs where this would have happened) averaging 20+ possessions a game everyone would have been baying for blood.

[Zlatorog]

I don't think anyone, including everyone on this board, thought ROK wasn't in our best 22 at the start of the year. If he'd been traded and played 23 senior games for another club (and there are plenty of other clubs where this would have happened) averaging 20+ possessions a game everyone would have been baying for blood.

+1. Looking back at his 2013 efforts and the first 4 rounds of this year it became obvious that it would be difficult for him to maintain his current role. He was probably too 1-dimensional in his decisions and style of play and the opposition took advantage of it. If you look at his finals efforts last year you would have noticed that it wasn't on par with 2012. His performance against better teams was worse, which means to me that they figured him out. Longmire is no longer about just playing finals but winning premierships and if there is no role for ROK in such team so be it.

[joemoore12]

Absolute champion and great of the club. Always will be.

I wrote this piece a couple of weeks ago http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/peerl...o-ryan-okeefe/

[Nico]

+1. Looking back at his 2013 efforts and the first 4 rounds of this year it became obvious that it would be difficult for him to maintain his current role. He was probably too 1-dimensional in his decisions and style of play and the opposition took advantage of it. If you look at his finals efforts last year you would have noticed that it wasn't on par with 2012. His performance against better teams was worse, which means to me that they figured him out. Longmire is no longer about just playing finals but winning premierships and if there is no role for ROK in such team so be it.

Come on Z, you dont think that after 250 games other clubs might have worked him out years before. How do plan against a player who had 20+ tackles in a GF? He was good enough to overcome any tactics other clubs threw at him. Pace never seemed to be a problem but he may have dropped a yard in pace this year that put him out of the top 22.

[Chilcott]

ROK is my son's (Ryan) favourite player.

I was very impressed with his interview and how well he accepted his role in the team this year.

A swans legend.

[Swansinger]

Vale , ROK !! For all you have done for Our Cause , THANK YOU , from the bottom of my heart.

[Meg]

ROK is my son's (Ryan) favourite player.

I was very impressed with his interview and how well he accepted his role in the team this year.

A swans legend.

I too was very impressed with his interviews - the first one with Tanya Paolucci from Swans Media in which you can see Ryan had been very emotional; and the second in the press conference with John Longmire in which Ryan is more composed but equally humble and generous in his comments.

Ryan's manner of saying goodbye, including the fact that he will play in the finals with the Reserves, is a tribute to the great Swans man he is.

[Doctor]

Viva ROK. It wasn't until he reinvented himself, with the help of Roosy no doubt, into an inside midfielder that his legacy was well and truly established. Great player, club legend, always welcome at the club no matter whether he plays on elsewhere next year or not.

[Matt80]

Paul Roos has said the recruitment of ROK is unlikely. He said that it's 12 months too late. They would have looked at him at the end of 2013. I suppose he probably had a good contract at the Swans in 2014 and thought that he would be playing more senior games.

I find myself fishing that someone will throw him a lifeline. Let's hope half the Dons team get suspended and he gets a game at Essondon in 2015.

[BRISWAN]

THANKS ROK
For the past 14 years
You are a great example of maximising everything you do and deserve every kind word expressed and every kind deed presented to you
Greatly missed but always etched into our memories
Thanks for your continuing best efforts?..you are so appreciated.

[Simo]

Just listened to ROK on SEN, look I loved the bloke from the day I saw him go as hard as Paul Kelly into a contest as a no 50. I loved the way he played the game, watching him become the best half fwd in the game, his stats speak legend swan, as he should be. But.... If you watch his last 8 games he gets it and kicks it, you can't do that in the mid field, hands are key, I hate to say to but he felt pressure that wasn't there, and I went through and watched the games to make sure in my mind, the game is faster then Ryan, he is one club player that may damage his rep if he goes on. Retire, become a fitness and diet guru. And remain a swan great. a swan life member, a norm smith, a bob Skilton,...or...play a year at Melbourne or gws and play at Casey or at blacktown against the blokes you mentored, don't become an enemy .... 2 games any where..... The game is faster than him, slow in the twos, is so much slower than the twos.
Be smart mate.

Retire as a champ.

[rojo]

I am so so pleased that ROK and the Swans got together and worked out a way in which he could be honoured and farewelled even though he may continue on at another club if the opportunity arises. I actually shed a tear watching his press conference with Horse, I so wished he had been able to make the 300 game mark at the Swans and be up there with Goodesy and Jude. It was good to see that he is still proud of his achievements and is philosophical about not reaching the 300 games.

[Bob Neil]

Thanks for playing, Rhino. I immediately bought plane tickets for the family to the GF based on your start to Q3 of the 2005 PF V Saints. Your mid 2000's were great years. Champ!

[dimelb]

Fine player and an important contributor to our greatest successes. Thanks for the legacy and best wishes for the future.

[ScottH]

Ryan O'Keefe through the years - sydneyswans.com.au