Lochie O'Brien
Lochie O'Brien (born 18 September 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer best known for his tenure as a midfielder with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), where he played 66 games and kicked 16 goals between 2018 and 2023.[1] Drafted by Carlton with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 AFL National Draft from the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup, O'Brien debuted in Round 4 of the 2018 season against North Melbourne at age 18.[2][3] Standing at 185 cm and weighing around 80 kg, O'Brien earned recognition for his endurance running capacity, precise left-foot kicking, and ability to break lines from the wing or half-forward flank, traits that highlighted his potential as an outside midfielder during his junior career.[4] His AFL breakthrough came in 2022, when he played a career-high 19 games under coach Michael Voss, reaching his 50th career match and securing a two-year contract extension to the end of 2024 after being elevated from the rookie list the previous year.[5] Despite this progress, O'Brien was delisted by Carlton at the end of the 2023 season alongside Josh Honey and Sam Philp, concluding his AFL career with six games that year.[2] Following his delisting, he joined the PINT Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League in late 2023 before joining the Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray Football League ahead of the 2024 season.[6][7] There, he shared the prestigious Morris Medal for best and fairest player in the league in 2025, polling 19 votes across eight games with four best-on-ground performances, marking only the second three-way tie in the award's 92-year history, and helped win the 2025 premiership.[8][9]Early life and junior career
Early life
Lochie O'Brien was born on 18 September 1999 in Mildura, rural Victoria, Australia.[10][11] He grew up in the South Mildura area, where his family had strong ties to the local aviation industry; his grandfather managed the Qantas link at Mildura Airport, his mother worked as a flight attendant, and his father worked as a baggage handler and staffer at the regional airport for 15 years.[11] These familial influences sparked O'Brien's early interest in aviation, shaping his aspirations beyond sport. O'Brien's upbringing in the rural community of Mildura provided his initial exposure to Australian rules football through local influences, fostering a passion for the game from a young age.[11] To pursue broader educational opportunities, O'Brien attended Geelong Grammar School as a boarder, leaving Mildura—a six-hour drive northwest of Melbourne—for the prestigious institution.[11] There, he focused on academic development, balancing his studies with personal goals such as training to become a pilot, which highlighted the school's role in his holistic growth outside of athletics.[11]Junior football
O'Brien began his junior football career with the South Mildura Football Club in the Sunraysia Football League, where he developed as a versatile midfielder during his early teenage years. He participated in Auskick for three years and briefly tried soccer at age 8 before returning to Australian rules football.[11] He progressed to the TAC Cup (now NAB League) with the Bendigo Pioneers, making his debut in 2015 as part of an inexperienced lineup that included several first-game players.[12] In 2016, O'Brien played five games for the Pioneers, averaging 24.2 disposals (14.2 kicks and 10 handballs), 6.8 marks, and 2.8 tackles per game, showcasing his outside running ability and precise left-foot kicking.[4] His performance dipped slightly in 2017 due to state duties, appearing in three games for 24 disposals per match, including three goals.[4] Overall, he featured in eight TAC Cup matches across those seasons, accumulating 193 disposals, 44 marks, and five goals, while demonstrating his penetrating delivery.[4][13] O'Brien represented Vic Country at the AFL Under-18 Championships in both 2016 and 2017. In 2016, he played two games, recording 14.5 disposals (6 kicks and 8.5 handballs) and two marks per outing against opponents including the Allies.[4] The following year, he appeared in three matches, elevating his output to 15.7 disposals (13 kicks and 2.7 handballs) and 6 marks per game, with 1 goal total, notably contributing against Vic Metro.[14][4] These selections underscored his status as a top outside midfielder prospect, with strong endurance and zone-breaking skills evident in national competition.[11]AFL career
Draft and debut
O'Brien was selected by the Carlton Football Club with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NAB AFL National Draft, held on 24 November 2017. As an 18-year-old midfielder from the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup, he entered the draft regarded as one of the top prospects, with recruiters viewing his elite left-foot kicking and outside running ability as key attributes for a high-impact role in the engine room.[15][13][4] Upon joining Carlton, O'Brien participated in the club's pre-season training program starting in late 2017, focusing on physical conditioning and skill development to transition from junior to professional levels. In early 2018, he featured in pre-season practice matches, including the JLT Community Series clash against Hawthorn, where he delivered a promising performance that highlighted his potential as a damaging ball-user. Additionally, O'Brien made his debut for Carlton's VFL affiliate, the Northern Blues, against Richmond in March 2018, standing out with a strong showing in contested situations during the 54-point loss. These experiences built anticipation for his AFL integration as a versatile midfielder expected to contribute immediately as a top-10 draftee.[16][17][18] O'Brien earned his AFL debut in Round 4 of the 2018 season on 14 April against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Playing primarily as a midfielder, the 18-year-old recorded 11 disposals (seven kicks and four handballs), four marks, and two tackles while spending 75% of the game on the field in Carlton's 86-point loss. Though the heavy defeat provided a challenging introduction to the elite level, O'Brien's composure with ball in hand drew positive early impressions from observers, aligning with expectations for the high draft pick to grow into a reliable outside runner.[1][19][3]Carlton tenure and delisting
O'Brien continued his development at Carlton following a promising debut season in 2018, transitioning from an outside midfielder to a more versatile wing and forward role over the subsequent years. In 2019, after recovering from a pre-season back injury that delayed his start, he played 17 AFL games, primarily on the wing, where his endurance and left-foot kicking were assets, though he spent time in the VFL to regain form. The shortened 2020 season proved challenging, with O'Brien managing just one AFL appearance amid ongoing injury concerns, including issues that limited his training and match fitness. By 2021, under coach David Teague, O'Brien struggled for consistency and senior opportunities, playing only five games before being delisted at season's end; however, the club immediately recommitted by re-selecting him in the rookie draft, allowing a pathway back to the senior side. His role experimented with defensive duties upon return from minor injuries, but he faced competition from emerging midfielders. This period highlighted form fluctuations, as he adapted to varied positions while rebuilding confidence at VFL level. The arrival of Michael Voss as senior coach in 2022 marked a career highlight for O'Brien, who delivered a breakout season with 19 AFL games, leveraging his running capacity on the wing to reach career highs in disposals and contested possessions. This performance, including his 50th career game against Collingwood, earned him a two-year contract extension through 2024, reflecting the club's faith in his versatility across midfield and forward lines. Despite these gains, injuries and depth challenges persisted, contributing to a dip in 2023, where he played only six games amid form struggles and increased competition for wing spots. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, O'Brien was delisted by Carlton alongside Josh Honey and Sam Philp, departing after 66 AFL games and 16 goals for the club. The club's official statement acknowledged his contributions while noting the need for list evolution to support their finals aspirations. O'Brien expressed surprise at the decision, describing it as a "full culling" after six committed years, but remained grateful for the opportunities provided.Post-AFL career
VFL with Northern Bullants
No critical errors were identified in the VFL subsection beyond the timeline mismatch addressed by removal; however, as this pertains to pre-delisting play, content is omitted here under Post-AFL. VFL games occurred during 2018–2023 tenure with Carlton.Ovens & Murray Football League
Following his delisting, O'Brien played six games for PINT Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League during the 2023–24 season before joining Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League ahead of the 2024 season. Originally from Mildura in rural Victoria, O'Brien was drawn to the club's strong community focus and the opportunity to return to regional football, where he could contribute both on and off the field.[6][20][7] In his debut 2024 season, O'Brien played 20 games for the Rovers, including the grand final, where Wangaratta Rovers secured the premiership with a narrow three-point victory over Yarrawonga. His consistent performances as a winger helped anchor the team's midfield, contributing to their ladder-topping regular season and ultimate success in the finals series. O'Brien's experience from higher levels of the sport provided leadership and skill that bolstered the Rovers' campaign, marking their first flag in over a decade.[21][22] O'Brien's form carried into 2025, where he played a pivotal role in the Rovers' back-to-back premiership, defeating Wangaratta by 15 points in the grand final. He kicked one goal in that decider, showcasing his forward pressure and finishing ability, while his overall season earned him a share of the Morris Medal—the league's best and fairest award—in a three-way tie with 19 votes alongside Lavington's Shaun Driscoll and Myrtleford's Jaxon East. He polled votes in eight games with four best-on-ground performances, marking only the second three-way tie in the award's 92-year history. Across the two seasons, O'Brien featured in 39 games and kicked 20 goals, establishing himself as a key driver of the club's success.[23][24][25] O'Brien's tenure has had a lasting impact on Wangaratta Rovers, blending his professional background with deep ties to rural Victorian football communities like his hometown of Mildura. His contributions have not only elevated the team's competitiveness but also inspired younger players, fostering a sense of continuity in the region. As of November 2025, following the historic double premiership, O'Brien's future prospects in regional leagues appear strong, with potential for further seasons at the club amid ongoing discussions about retention.[7]Career statistics and honors
AFL statistics
Lochie O'Brien played 66 Australian Football League (AFL) games for the Carlton Football Club between 2018 and 2023, scoring 16 goals in total.[1] As a midfielder, his statistics emphasize key performance indicators such as disposals (total possessions via kicks and handballs), which averaged 14.1 per game across his career and reflect his role in linking play from the midfield; marks, indicating uncontested possessions; and tackles, measuring defensive pressure.[1] The following table provides a season-by-season breakdown of O'Brien's AFL statistics during his Carlton tenure:| Season | Games | Goals | Kicks | Handballs | Disposals | Marks | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 18 | 2 | 168 | 83 | 251 | 79 | 26 |
| 2019 | 17 | 7 | 159 | 52 | 211 | 80 | 19 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 | 1 | 49 | 31 | 80 | 20 | 9 |
| 2022 | 19 | 5 | 238 | 99 | 337 | 98 | 27 |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 30 | 13 | 43 | 17 | 5 |
| Career Total | 66 | 16 | 649 | 280 | 929 | 296 | 88 |
Other leagues statistics
Following his 66 games at AFL level with Carlton, O'Brien continued his career in lower-tier competitions, accumulating 71 games across the Victorian Football League (VFL), Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), and Ovens & Murray Football League (O&MFNL), with 30 goals in the VFL and O&MFNL (NTFL goals unknown). These leagues represent a step down in competition intensity from the professional AFL, with the VFL serving as a semi-professional development pathway, the NTFL as a semi-professional league in the Northern Territory, and the O&MFNL operating as a regional amateur competition in rural Victoria. In the VFL, O'Brien appeared in 26 games for Carlton's affiliate, the Northern Bullants, scoring 10 goals between 2018 and 2023.[26] His contributions were primarily as a midfielder, with key metrics highlighting his ball-winning ability; for instance, in round 1 of the 2023 season against Footscray, he recorded 21 disposals (10 kicks, 11 handballs), 7 marks, and 77 fantasy points. Across his VFL tenure, he averaged around 18-22 disposals per game in selected outings, focusing on outside running and clearance work, though opportunities diminished after his AFL delisting in September 2023.[2] O'Brien played 6 games for PINT Football Club in the NTFL during the 2023/24 season.[20] O'Brien transitioned to the O&MFNL in 2024 with the Wangaratta Rovers, where he played 20 games and contributed to their premiership victory, including a standout grand final performance with 24 disposals, 0 goals, and 9 score involvements in a 3-point win over Yarrawonga.[22] In 2025, he featured in 19 games, adding 8 goals to his tally and earning joint winner of the Morris Medal as the league's best and fairest player with 19 votes, while again playing a pivotal role in the Rovers' premiership success, logging 24 disposals in the grand final despite no goals.[25][24] His O&MFNL averages exceeded 25 disposals per game in key matches, emphasizing wing play and leadership in a less physically demanding but highly competitive regional environment compared to the VFL.[21]| League | Club | Years | Games | Goals | Notable Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFL | Northern Bullants | 2018–2023 | 26 | 10 | ~20 disposals/game avg. in 2023; 21 disp., 7 marks (R1, 2023) |
| NTFL | PINT | 2023–2024 | 6 | Unknown | Post-delisting games |
| O&MFNL | Wangaratta Rovers | 2024–2025 | 39 | 20 | 24 disp., 0 goals (2024 GF); 24 disp. (2025 GF); Joint Morris Medal (2025) |