Nicholas O'Brien Biography

Nick O'Brien is delisted by Essendon.

O'Brien played nine matches this year to take his total to 14 across his four years at the Bombers since being taken with pick No.59 in the 2011 draft.

O'Brien showed towards the end of the season his ball-winning ability in the midfield, including a 32-disposal game against Port Adelaide in round 10.

His lack of speed worked against him on occasion, however, and was one of the key reasons he was unable to break into the Bombers' senior team consistently.

Four Essendon players who were on the club's list in 2012 will play against St Kilda on Saturday in the NAB Challenge after requesting permission from the coaches to participate.

Nick O'Brien, Jackson Merrett, Elliott Kavanagh and Lauchlan Dalgleish – who were all with the Bombers in 2012 when the club's contentious supplements program was underway – have been selected in Essendon's line-up to face the Saints at Morwell.

It is the first time the club has confirmed and cleared any of its players as not facing infraction notices.

The younger players approached the club's coaching group and told them they were keen to take part in the game, a request that was agreed to by James Hird and his assistants.

The move was ticked off by the Essendon leadership group, which understood and respected the players' request.

"Both the coaches and the leadership group agreed that it was appropriate for the four players to be available for selection as they were not involved in the investigation surrounding the 2012 supplements program," the club said in a statement.

"The four players who have been named in the squad to play St Kilda on Saturday are not provisionally suspended."

Essendon youngster Nick O'Brien says he has no concerns about being part of the Bombers' controversial supplements program.

"I just assumed that's what happens at AFL footy clubs. I just couldn't wait to get into it (training); you just want to be a part of it when you're new," he said.

"I'm not overly concerned about my long-term health at the moment. I trust Dr Bruce Reid with my life and I've sat down with him and talked about everything."

Essendon's teenage half-forward Nick O'Brien impresses in his AFL debut, kicking a goal and setting up others.

"I was just trying to keep my emotions in check, execute when I had the ball and trust my instincts," he said post-game.

"My main focus was to try get it into the forwards because they're pretty potent when they're up and going."



Nicholas O'Brien makes his AFL debut for Essendon at the MCG with 12 disposals (8 kicks and 4 handballs), 2 marks and a goal in a 45-point loss to Richmond.