TAC Cup: Ryan O’Keefe appointed Western Jets coach for 2019

Ryan O’Keefe has been charged with the responsibility of developing the next generation of talent in the west after landing a TAC Cup coaching role. Read his reaction here.

Ryan O’Keefe has taken charge at Western Jets, replacing Torin Baker. Picture: Sarah Matray

DUAL Sydney premiership player Ryan O’Keefe has been charged with the responsibility of developing the next generation of talent in the western suburbs after landing a TAC Cup coaching role.

O’Keefe will steer Western Jets next season and replaces Torin Baker, who has taken up a development role with Hawthorn in the AFL.

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The 37-year-old has spent the past four years with Adelaide since retiring in 2014 and has mentored the club’s SANFL team for the past two seasons.

O’Keefe has been appointed in a full-time capacity and will also be the head coach of Maribyrnong Sports Academy’s AFL program.

With 286 games of experience at the elite level over a 15-year career, during which he claimed a North Smith Medal, won All-Australian selection and a best and fairest, the Jets are in good hands.

“I think I’ve got a fair bit of experience in the AFL,” O’Keefe said.

“I’ve been in the AFL for over 20 years as a player and a coach, so I know everything that’s involved.

“I know how to make it, stay in it, all the politics and everything that goes with being in the AFL system. To be able to pass on that wisdom and knowledge, you can’t really buy experience. It’s something you’ve got to earn and work towards.”

Western Jets coach Ryan O’Keefe with Maribyrnong Sports Academy students Owen King, Josh Honey and Billy Cootee. Picture: Sarah Matray

A product of Calder Cannons, O’Keefe was taken at pick No. 56 in the 1999 AFL National Draft.

He was a key member of Sydney’s 2005 and 2012 flags and has returned to Melbourne for family reasons.

The fact he has coached Adelaide in the SANFL for the past two seasons leaves him well placed to take charge at the Jets.

“That’s probably the biggest development in coaching terms — to be able to be in charge of your own team,” O’Keefe said.

“Everything sort of revolves around the head coach and there’s a whole range of skill-sets you’ve got to learn that you probably didn’t think.

“It’s not just the tactical and technical aspect of the game; it’s how you manage people and how you deal with a whole range of different personalities — staff, players and your whole program.

“It was a great opportunity that I had and I was very fortunate to do it with a great club over there and build my skill-set as a coach.”

O’Keefe said “just the ability to develop and mould young talent and aspiring AFL players” was the most appealing part of his new role.

He added he wanted to give players “a skill-set they can have for life”, regardless of how far they progress in their football journeys.

“To get my hands on a program and create something that’s mine … hopefully it makes kids reach their potential and enjoy their footy most of all,” O’Keefe said.

A fierce competitor as a player, O’Keefe is acutely aware that winning is secondary in the TAC Cup.

“You want to create obviously a winning culture and elite habits,” he said.

“But it’s more about the process than the results.”

Jets players Zak Butters (Port Adelaide), Xavier O’Halloran (Greater Western Sydney) and Buku Khamis (Western Bulldogs) found AFL homes in last month’s drafts.