With more than 700 games of experience still missing from the senior side, the Swans have been dealt a series of mid-to-long term injuries, with the likes of Adam Goodes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Lewis Jetta, Ben McGlynn and Sam Reid still missing from the team.
What has amazed the 2012 Norm Smith medallist more than the club’s lengthy injury list, is how well the club has been able to cover the loss of some of the club’s biggest names and continue to progress.
“I always knew we had good depth and knew that it was the strength of our list that we could cover some holes, but the amount of players we have out, I didn’t think we’d lose that many players to injury and particularly those key position players,” O’Keefe told SwansTV.
“In saying that, everyone who has come into the side has stepped up and has been able to contribute to the team’s success.”
While much has been said about the success of the Swans’ young players, O’Keefe and the other members of the leadership group have been responsible for setting the up-and-coming youngsters on the right path.
Each year, the club’s senior group are responsible for mentoring younger players, which O’Keefe believes has been part of the Swans’ success this season.
“Our mentoring program is something we’re pretty proud of and we think it’s a really strong thing we’ve got going and a real bond between all the players,” he said.
“There are no gaps or divisions in our team list and I think it’s working well.
“Naturally when you’ve been playing for a while, and having been a part of the leadership group for many years, it sort of just comes and is part of a habit that you’re coaching and mentoring along the way.
“If they come for advice, we pass it on, and it’s been a great learning and teaching environment and experience.”
One of the beneficiaries of O’Keefe’s experience this season has been Luke Parker, while Tom Mitchell and Brandon Jack are mentored by Jude Bolton, Harry Cunningham by Ben McGlynn, and Dane Rampe by Josh Kennedy.
Parker, who is set to play his 50th game this weekend against the Western Bulldogs, said he felt O’Keefe’s guidance and experience as a mentor had helped him develop into a better player.
“It makes it a lot easier to have a mentor to kind of fall back on and to ask questions to and seek ways to improve your game,” he said.
“I know Pebbles (O’Keefe) has been through a lot of personal experience, so I try to feed off that and I’m sure he’s been through similar things to me and would have asked the questions I’ll be asking.
“He’s really good for feedback and just helping me get the best out of myself.”
The 20-year-old Parker said the help of the senior players has had a huge impact on the club’s young talent, in particular this year’s five senior debutants.
“They just set us on the right track and particularly the younger blokes coming in,” he said.
“I know BJ (Brandon Jack) and Jed (Lamb) ask a lot of questions and seek out advice and that’s made their transition into senior football much easier.”
With the Swans’ young guns firing and the senior players continuing to play their role, O’Keefe said the club was finding its momentum at the right time.
“We’ve got a pretty good team overall and have an even contribution from everyone,” he said.
“It’s been really good and it’s been a good feeling and a good atmosphere amongst the playing group and the coaches.
“We have some tough games coming up and we’ve just got to make sure that we’re keeping that winning momentum.
“I’m looking forward to these last few games to come into the finals and then the real stuff starts.”
