Ryan O’Keefe’s dual AFL premiership knowledge is working wonders for Adelaide’s young guns

WHY Adelaide Crows assistant coach Ryan O’Keefe is worth his weight in gold at West Lakes.

Adelaide SANFL coach Ryan O'Keefe addressed players against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval. Picture: MATT LOXTON Crows rule out McGovern

RYAN O’Keefe has emerged as a clutch figure at West Lakes, providing premiership know-how while reconstructing September wildcard Paul Seedsman.

O’Keefe’s value for Adelaide has been two-fold – as SANFL head coach and gold-plated reference point having won two flags with Sydney including the 2012 Norm Smith Medal.

O’Keefe has steered Hugh Greenwood’s remarkable rookie season and Riley Knight’s return to first-choice selection while priming Seedsman, 25, to fill the strategic void left by Brodie Smith.

Seedsman looked a long-shot for finals football when sidelined from SANFL duty until June. Right groin and hip ailments followed identical issues on his left side in an interrupted pre-season.

“I think he had a goal he wanted with our physical performance team to get his body right and be patient with it,” said O’Keefe of Seedsman, who booted a goal on AFL return against former side Collingwood in Round 19.

“In Paul’s case he did everything right, worked really hard, got his body in good condition and hasn’t missed a beat.”

The carrot of finals football shared importance with physical confidence for 67-game runner Seedsman.

Smith’s untimely anterior cruciate ligament rupture in the qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval opened the door for Seedsman to assume a front-line half-back or wing role.

“There was no rush, it was just be supportive and when you come back play out the rest of the year and who knows what happens towards the end of the year,” said O’Keefe ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final against Geelong at Adelaide Oval.

“Paul’s strength is his run and carry, long kicking. Paul has done everything right to get an opportunity. He knows what role to play and that has been a strength of our team this year.”

O’Keefe featured in flags seven years apart for the Swans and Geelong’s last interstate final - a 2005 preliminary final loss at the SCG.

O’Keefe is the closest conduit to premiership success there is at West Lakes and addressed the playing group this week with a key message – soak up the energy but don’t be overawed.

“Finals is a different kettle of fish, high pressure, high stakes,” said O’Keefe, also midfield mentor to a burgeoning collective of Matt and Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas and Greenwood.

“It is one of things you will have to perform above and beyond what the regular season entails. The message was just to back the work they have done for the year.”

O’Keefe’s priority is grooming reinforcements for head coach Don Pyke. The AFL exposure of Wayne Milera and Jono Beech adds to an impressive body of work in O’Keefe’s first season as SANFL boss.

“Of course we want to win but the job of the reserves team is to develop AFL players and get ready for AFL level and when they do make the transition they are capable,” said O’Keefe.

“Credit to the work the players have put in it has been a success.”

Originally published as Ryan O’Keefe’s dual AFL premiership knowledge is working wonders for Adelaide’s young guns