Victory in this Sunday’s HART Sapphire Series major semi-final against the Gold Coast Titans propels this talented dual-sport state representative into a position of being one win away from achieving unfinished business.
“We’ve done all the work and hopefully we can show what we’ve got on the big stage,” O’Brien said.
“I look at the top four now and know we can take it to all of the other sides, if we’re at our best.”
The 29-year-old teacher lives in Brisbane, works in Ipswich and plays netball for the Jets, while also lining up for the Southport Sharks in the QAFLW.
“Growing up in the country, you drive everywhere,” O’Brien said.
“I spent my whole childhood driving to Brisbane for netball, for me it’s just like I don’t know anything else.”
Born in Warwick, O’Brien’s sporting passion has always been netball however this affection was split three seasons ago when she joined Queensland’s premier senior female football competition and immediately enjoyed success.
“In my first two years I won premierships,” she said.
“I’m playing for the Sharks this year and we’re top of the ladder right now, so it’s nice to be at the top of the ladder for both sports. I’m yet to come away with a state league title (netball) so I’m hoping this year will be the one.”
O’Brien will be one of the more experienced players on court come Sunday, having played at this level for 15 years, been a Suncorp Super Netball training partner, represented Queensland Fusion in the Australian Netball Championships, and embraced underage representative duties.
She’s also one of the most consistent for the Jets, who, for only the second time in as many weeks, will be running out a full-strength line.
“We’ve had a season where a lot has been thrown at us as a team,” O’Brien said.
“I’ve turned up to games and met teammates as I’ve got there. We’ve played and won some incredible games doing that. It’s the resilience to push through. I think we’ve got the talent and culture around the team to be able to do it.”
It will be O’Brien who lifts the HART Sapphire Series trophy come the July 30 grand final, should the Jets achieve their season’s ambition, as captain Hulita Veve will be absent due to Netball World Cup commitments with Tonga.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to lead a team out onto the court, lead by example and hopefully inspire other players to do something amazing out there,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously I’m disheartened that I didn't make the Firebirds Futures squad (ANC), but more importantly I’m hoping we can win this premiership and I can keep working hard to show personally that I’m still good enough to play at that level.”
In the meantime, accolades from the footy field are still flowing after O’Brien’s ‘best on ground’ performance while captaining the Queensland team to victory against Tasmania earlier this month.
“It’s a case of playing well and improving,” she said of her AFLW draft goals.
“It’s always been a dream to play sport as a job.”
The winner of Sunday’s first semi-final between the Jets and Titans will go through to the grand final, the loser is to play either the ACU Brisbane North Cougars or the Sunshine Coast Thunder in the preliminary final on July 23.
All four semi-final matches in the HART Sapphire Series and Ruby Series will be live streamed on KommunityTV.
For all HART Sapphire Series information, please click HERE.
