It was a witty response, but also perfectly summed up the recently retired Ryan O’Keefe’s meticulous attitude throughout his 15-year career at the Sydney Swans.
The 33-year-old, who was given the chance to say his final farewell at this month’s Club Champion event, was renowned for his fastidious preparations throughout his career in training, diet and lifestyle.
Addressing the almost 1000 guest in attendance on the night, O’Keefe said he dedicated his career to getting the absolute maximum out of himself on the track and on game day.
“I probably wasn’t blessed with the best physical attributes or anything like that,” O’Keefe said.
“I just made sure that I worked hard and did everything possible to try and get a little advantage.
“Life is too short, and I just didn’t want to waste anything.
“There are ups and downs in life, and stuff like that, and unfortunately I went through a few, but what it did was just make me not want to have any regrets.”
Throughout his 286-game career at the Swans, O’Keefe experienced some of the great heights of AFL football, winning premierships in 2005 and 2012, earning All-Australian selection in 2006 and becoming the Swans’ first Norm Smith medallist in 2012.
The midfielder, who enjoyed a stunning finals series in 2012, said double premiership success was without a doubt the highlight of his illustrious career.
“When you achieve something that you work so hard for, and to do it with a group of guys that you’ve worked hard, and spent the journey with, it’s just amazing,” he said.
“It is the pinnacle and it’s what we turn up every day and work really hard for, and that’s not just the players, it’s the staff, the coaches, and even the supporters, because it’s a big long year for them as well.
“When you reach that moment, it is something special and it’s something to celebrate and enjoy.”
By contrast, O’Keefe experienced his toughest season at the Swans in 2014, which saw him play just four senior games and spend the rest of the season with the Swans reserves in the NEAFL.
While admitting that his final season did not turn out as he would have liked, O’Keefe said there were plenty of positive to take out of his time with the reserves.
“The overwhelming support I’ve had from everyone this year, especially the fans and supporters has been fantastic,” he said.
“My job this year, even though it was difficult, was with the reserves boys and staff and coaches like Crouchy (reserves coach Jared Crouch), who just made it so much easier and enjoyable to turn up.
“You’re dealt with challenges in life and those things bring opportunity, and it was a great opportunity for me and I’ve learnt something, and it’s given me an opportunity for the future that maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance to if I didn’t spend the year doing what I did.”
Swans coach John Longmire also paid tribute to ‘Pebbles’ on the night, and highlighted his transition from a talented half-forward to a hard-bodied midfielder as one of many successes throughout his time at the club.
“In the early 2000s I was the forwards coach with Pebs and I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that he revolutionised the position of this high-half-forward,” Longmire said.
“His work rate was such that it was quite common for the opposition to rotate two players on him because they couldn’t stay with his amazing running ability up and down the ground.
“He then went into the midfield where he used his big body and strong backside to maximum effect, and he then kicked again as a player.
“He was an All-Australian half-forward but he then went into the midfield and kicked again as a player to be able to be one of the most reliable inside-midfielders of the competition and certainly at the Swans.”
The coach added that O’Keefe’s attention to detail – which continued even when he wasn’t playing senior football in 2014 – was a credit to his character.
“He was always first in my office on a Monday morning, and has been for those 13 years, to ask me what he was doing right, what he was doing wrong,” he said.
“Those conversations happened again this year and they weren’t easy for the both of us, but to his absolute credit, he still kept coming in and still kept going out and delivering and he played in our reserves.
“He played everywhere from Canberra to Darwin this year, which is just an amazing achievement for a bloke who has achieved so much in football.
“He gave back to our young, next generation of midfielders and helped educate those kids coming through.”
O’Keefe took the opportunity to thank his team mates, coaches and fans on the night, as well as a special mention to his young family, who he said supported him every step of the way.
“To my amazing wife Tara, and my two kids, this year, the whole time, they have just been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“The reason I get up every day is the love I have for you guys.
“I look forward to our next step.”
