Without Michael O'Loughlin and Barry Hall, O'Keefe was the Swans' only recognised forward and earned the praise of his coach as one of a handful of the team who worked hard against Fremantle in Kirk's milestone.
O’Keefe said the Swans’ poor start, which saw Fremantle jump out to a decisive lead, was bitterly disappointing considering the build-up for the match.
"Our whole focus for the game was to do it for Kirky,” O’Keefe said after the match.
“ You couldn't ask for a guy who has given more to the club and he leads inspirationally from the front. Before the game we spoke about doing it for him and it's really disappointing that we couldn’t.”
O'Keefe had a good battle with Fremantle's Steven Dodd, with the 2006 All-Australian working hard for 14 possessions and a goal. He was pleased to at least be able to hold his head up high.
"It was a tough game up forward because we couldn’t get the ball there. It was one of those days where I had to keep working hard to try to make the most of any opportunity I got," he said.
Fremantle started brightly with three goals in six minutes and maintained the advantage all night. The Swans managed just 36 inside-50s for the game and O'Keefe is keen for the return of Hall and O'Loughlin to play Richmond next Sunday.
"To [Fremantle’s] credit they played really well, got their hands on the ball first and it got it to their good users. We just couldn’t get the ball forward”, he said.
"We had to make the most of our opportunities because we didn’t get many ... We kicked straight, but when you only bring it in that much it makes it very hard.
"We've been doing a bit of a makeshift forward line through the first part of the year but both of those guys (Hall and O’Loughlin) should be back next week. Hopefully it brings back some stability and straightens us up."
The Swans now host a Tigers outfit coming off their first win of 2009 and O'Keefe knows his team has to deliver.
"They are a good side with a lot of quality players, but we will need to be desperate ourselves. We were disappointing this week and if we don’t make up for it in that game a lot of questions will be asked."
