Crows midfield development coach Ryan O’Keefe says he’s already noted some parallels between Adelaide’s current playing group and the culture of success at his former club.
O’Keefe, 34, enjoyed a decorated 286-game career with the Sydney Swans, which included a best and fairest, a Norm Smith Medal and an All Australian selection.
But team success was always the priority for the tough Victorian. O’Keefe played an integral part in establishing Sydney’s ‘Bloods’ culture in the mid 2000s. The Swans have missed just one finals series since 2003 and have collected two premiership cups in the past 10 years.
O’Keefe, a member of both Grand Final winning sides in 2005 and 2012, says the players had already shown they have what it takes to succeed.
“They’re a great group and they’ve been set a lot of challenges this pre-season,” O’Keefe told afc.com.au.
“Everything we’ve thrown at them they’ve just accepted. We can’t fault the character of the group. It’s been quite impressive.”
O’Keefe said he’s been pleased with the players’ appetite for “honest hard work” and said it was this desire that was reminiscent of his previous club.
“It’s that willingness to work hard and do the little things that others think don’t matter - that’s the backbone of any good organization,” he said.
“You have to be honest with each other and trust that your teammate will do the hard yards with you, and that trust is something you earn by working hard together consistently over a period of time.
“All you want from a player and a teammate is effort. You’ll never get asked to do something that is totally beyond your capabilities.
“The boys have really embraced that and hopefully it reaps rewards once the season starts.”
Just over four months into his coaching career at West Lakes, O’Keefe has brought a fresh set of eyes to the Club following his retirement from the game late last year.
O’Keefe earned his coaching accreditation during his playing days, but still admitted the transition had been a whirlwind experience.
“It’s been an eye-opener,” he said.
“It’s a big learning curve coming from a player to a coach with the different roles and commitments of coaching.
“I sometimes feel like the new kid at school and I’m still trying to be like a sponge and absorb everything.
“As a player you can complain or misunderstand certain things, but when you’re sitting on the other side of the desk you get a bit more of an appreciation of the work that goes on behind the scenes.
“But I’ve been enjoying it all and I’m happy I’ve made that step.”
Despite hanging up the boots last year, O’Keefe remains an avid fitness fanatic. He cycles to work every day and clocks over 500km on two wheels each week.
“I needed another outlet since I stopped playing,” he said.
“I’ve always been into cycling, and now I’ve got the opportunity to do it even more. I’ve really enjoyed being able to challenge myself in a new way.”
O’Keefe joined Andy Otten and Head of Football David Noble by riding the 143-kilometre Beat Cancer Tour route in January as part of the Tour Down Under.
He can still hold his own out on the footy field too, and often injects himself into training drills and gym sessions to keep the players honest.
“I think I’m still able to hold my own against the boys. I haven’t fallen away that fast just yet!” he said.
“It gets the juices flowing and then I start thinking ‘yeah, I could make a comeback’ but I’m pretty happy with what I’m doing now.”
