O’Keefe a Swan for life
Norm Smith medallist Ryan O'Keefe has signed on with the Sydney Swans until the end of the 2014 season
O’Keefe, who would have become an unrestricted free agent this season, negotiated the year-long extension with Swans General Manager – Football, Dean Moore this week, and in doing so, confirmed his commitment to play out his career in the red and white.
“Finishing my career as a one-club player is something to be proud of, and probably when the dust has all settled and my career does come to an end, I’ll be able to sit back and take pride in that achievement,” O’Keefe told sydneyswans.com.au.
“The club has been great to me and if I can keep contributing and they still want me to be a part of it, I’m happy to be a part of it.”
But the end of his career is not something the veteran Swan has in his sights, with the midfielder suggesting he feels more like a player in his mid-20s than one that recently turned 32.
The proof being in his most recent performance, where O’Keefe claimed the 2012 Norm Smith Medal following a 28 possession and 15 tackle effort in last year’s Grand Final.
After 257 games and 13 seasons with the club, O’Keefe said he was confident he still has plenty more to give on field for the Swans.
“Everyone sort of says that once you get into your 30s it’s doom and gloom, but I always take age as only a number because it’s more about how you feel and how you go about life and how you attack it,” O’Keefe said.
“I’m attacking it just the same as when I was in my mid-20s, so I feel like it’s just a number and I’m confident in my ability and my body is holding up and I’m really enjoying it.
“I’m not looking at the end, I’m positive and I’m enjoying what I’m doing and I just want to keep going.”
O’Keefe said he was excited about what was in store for the Swans over the next few years, with plenty of talent filtering into the club.
“We’ve got a great bunch of guys in terms of players and talent, but also in terms of them as people as well,” he said.
“To see how the young players have come out and improved is something else that keeps me really enthusiastic and makes me want to get better as well.
“This team is something that I really want to be a part of and I’m really glad I’ve got the next two years to be a part of it.
“I think I’ll just have to keep going until they kick me out!”