O’Brien kept Greater Western Sydney captain Callan Ward to just 19 disposals on Saturday afternoon in his first full game of the 2013 season.
“It was good to get a full game and with Heath Hocking being out I went with Callan Ward,” O’Brien told BomberTV.
“I clocked up a few more kilometres than what I did as a sub last week but it is just great to be back out playing senior footy.”
The 20-year-old said he was enjoying the opportunity to play a different role over the last fortnight.
“With Buddha injured someone has to do that defensive role and Jake Melksham did it really well for a couple of weeks and then Hirdy gave me the opportunity to do it,” he said.
“I was wrapt to be able to play any role I guess, it is sort of a cliché but it is probably the way it is a bit this year.”
One man who has worked closely with the young Bomber this season is VFL coach Hayden Skipworth, who could not be more pleased with the form of O’Brien given his consistent work ethic.
“Nick got his opportunity a few weeks ago and hasn’t looked back,” Skipworth said.
“His application to his work ethic, his training sessions and his improvement is as good as anyone at the club let alone in the development group.”
“We see him being a really good leader as he has great leadership skills for a second year play.”
