Ryan O'Keefe Biography

Ryan O'Keefe is appointed as coach of the Western Jets in the TAC Cup.

As part of a dual, full-time role, O'Keefe will also be head coach of the Maribyrnong Sports Academy's AFL program.

Ryan O'Keefe leaves his role as an assistant coach with Adelaide to return to Victoria.

"Ryan has been a valued member of our coaching group and his knowledge and dedication are first class," Adelaide head of football Brett Burton said.

"He will always be part of the Crows' family and we wish him, his wife Tara and their children the best for the future."

Victorian clubs are inquiring about Ryan O'Keefe's coaching services after Adelaide chose not to offer the dual Sydney premiership star a new contract for 2019.

O'Keefe, who coached the Crows' SANFL side the past two seasons, was hopeful at the start of the week about continuing into a fifth year at West Lakes and wasn't looking elsewhere.

"Ryan loved his time at Adelaide, but he's not one to wallow in self-pity. We're going to find another club and go from there," O'Keefe's manager Darian Lobb said.

Sydney inducts a trio of players into its hall of fame, with modern-day premiership stars Ryan O'Keefe and Lewis Roberts-Thomson receiving the honour along with VFA flag hero Denis McKay.

Ryan O'Keefe will be the senior coach of Adelaide's SANFL team next year.

O'Keefe replaces Heath Younie, who will focus on his role as the club's development manager.

O'Keefe has been with the Crows as a midfield development coach since the end of 2014 after ending a terrific playing career.

"I'm honoured to be the club's new SANFL coach and excited to take on a new challenge," O'Keefe said.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the great group of coaches we already have and helping the players get the best out of themselves."

Sydney Swans recruit Isaac Heeney will wear the number previously worn by his hero Ryan O'Keefe in 2015.

"It's amazing – it's always been my dream number to wear," Heeney said.

"Ryan O'Keefe was always my favourite player, so to have that number is an absolute honour and I'll do my best to have a career like his.

"Even if I could achieve just half of what he did in his career, I'd be absolutely stoked."

Ryan O'Keefe says he had several options to continue playing but chose to pursue a coaching opportunity at Adelaide instead.

"That's something (playing on) I had to weigh up but I think the opportunity here was good … I had to sort of think beyond 12 months," O'Keefe said.

"I could have, the body's fine, I still love playing, but I thought this was a great opportunity [and] I didn't want it to pass.

"I wanted to get into coaching, I had to think long-term and I'm really glad I made the decision."

Ryan O'Keefe joins Adelaide as an assistant coach and will serve as the club's development coach while also assisting the midfield.

"Ryan is a quality person who comes from a successful environment," Adelaide coach Phillip Walsh said.

"His leadership and knowledge gleaned from an outstanding playing career at Sydney will be invaluable."

Ryan O'Keefe has officially called time on his career, retiring after 286 games and two premierships with the Sydney Swans.

O'Keefe and fellow Swans retiree Lewis Roberts-Thomson will be now be part of Saturday's Grand Final motorcade at the MCG.

"It's fitting that two great premiership players of our club will be sent off with a lap of honour at the MCG on Grand Final day," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"Both Ryan and Lewis are life members of the Swans and were part of the 2005 and 2012 premiership success.

"Swans fans have had their chance to thank Ryan and Lewis and this is another opportunity for all football fans to thank two absolute warriors who always saved their best for September."

Adelaide has spoken to Sydney Swans veteran Ryan O'Keefe about joining its coaching panel as the club looks to bolster its football department ahead of the 2015 season.

"Yes, we can confirm we have met with him," a Crows spokesman said.

"We have long said we need to bolster our football department, and we are meeting with many people across the AFL."

Ryan O'Keefe will do a lap of honour to farewell Swans fans during Sydney's final regular season clash against Richmond at the SCG this week, but says he still has more to offer at AFL level.

"The fire is in the belly and I love playing," O'Keefe said.

"But what will happen will happen. I'm not too concerned about that.

"I just want to thank everyone after being here at the Swans for such a long time and how it has shaped me and moulded me."

Ryan O'Keefe plays his final match at the SCG as a Swan in the reserves and expresses disappointment that the club hasn't approached him about a farewell game in the seniors.

O'Keefe was given a guard of honour as he left the SCG following the Swans reserves' victory over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

"It would have been nice, but I suppose it's a fairly ruthless business and the guys have got momentum going," O'Keefe said about not being given the opportunity to play a farewell game.

"It would be nice, but the season's not over yet."

Sydney coach John Longmire says Ryan O'Keefe has not made a decision about his future despite reports to the contrary.

"I spoke to him just after those comments and he said he hadn't made a decision at all," Longmire said.

"That's what he said after those comments were made, that he hasn't made a decision on next year at all.

"That's where that sits."

Ryan O'Keefe has revealed his desire to continue his AFL career at another club next year.

The Sydney Swans veteran, an unrestricted free agent at season's end, has played just four games this year after being dropped in round four.

"Ryan will be exercising his right as a free agent. His body is sound, he loves footy and he's not ready to hang up the boots," O'Keefe's manager Darian Lobb of MVP Management said.

"He wants the opportunity to play at another club."

Ryan O'Keefe started the year fourth on the Swans' games-played list with 282 appearances and with every intention of chalking up 300 games and potentially playing on in 2015.

But the year hasn't panned out as he would've liked. He has played just four senior matches to start the season and has found himself stuck in the reserves ever since.

"I continually talk to Ryan and it's a week-by-week proposition," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"It's obviously been tough to this point because our players have been playing pretty well and been pretty consistent. What happens from here I'm unsure.

"Things do change pretty quickly. I'm sure Jake Lloyd wasn't expecting to get a senior call-up and he's been able to hold his spot.

"That's why you have to be in the best possible form you can because those opportunities will no doubt come before the end of the season."

Ryan O'Keefe only manages to make Sydney's round 1 side as an emergency, replacing Kieran Jack who pulled out with a back injury.

"We'd had a number of blokes likes (Luke) Parker and (Tom) Mitchell and (Harry) Cunningham, who'd had really good pre-seasons and had been playing well," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"(O'Keefe) was obviously disappointed with not being part of the 22 and then got the call-up on Saturday morning (to replace Jack)."

At 33 years of age, Ryan O'Keefe says he is far from ready to retire.

"You hit 30-plus and all of a sudden it's 'when are you going to retire?'" he asked.

"That drives me even more. You get a question about how many years you've got left – I've got as many years as I want.

"I'll keep going until I've had enough. A number is not going to determine when I finish. It's whether my body can hold up and whether I want it or not.

"Not my age or a number next to my name."

Ryan O'Keefe signs on for two more years at the Swans saying he hasn't lost his hunger for success at the club.

"You're always searching for that perfect game or perfect season and I'm still looking for that," O'Keefe said.

"Obviously team success is what you play for and I've been fortunate enough to taste it before and once you get that taste, you just want it again, it's quite addictive."

Sydney star Ryan O'Keefe says the possible arrival of Kurt Tippett would be a massive plus for the Swans as they defend their crown.

"He's a big guy who can pinch hit in the ruck and provide a target up forward," O'Keefe said.

"We're not expecting him to come here and be best on ground. He doesn't have to come here and be best on ground. He doesn't have to play the game of his life every week.

"He just has to come here and play a role that's the way we play it."

Josh Kennedy's fairytale season continues, scoring a record total in the Swans' best and fairest.

With 877 votes, Kennedy won the award by 172 votes from fellow All Australian Ted Richards, and Norm Smith medallist Ryan O'Keefe in third.

"Every year we implore our players to improve and in the three seasons he has been at our club, Josh has just kept getting better and better," Sydney head coach John Longmire said.

"To poll votes in every game is an outstanding achievement in itself and is testament to his consistency this season."

Swan Ryan O'Keefe has won the 2012 Norm Smith Medal after 28 disposals and 15 tackles against the Hawks.

"I just enjoy getting in amongst it where the action is, being physical," O'Keefe said.

"I'm really enjoying my footy at the moment and the coaches are giving me the confidence just to back myself and get in there amongst it and get physical."

Ryan O'Keefe will celebrate game 250 against Carlton in sensational form, averaging over 33 touches in his past three games.

"He is the ultimate professional," former teammate and good friend Jared Crouch said.

"If he misses a shot at goal in a game. The next session he'll spend hours after training practicing the same shot. It's no surprise that he's made 250 games."

Sydney forward Ryan O'Keefe says he supports the decision by the match review panel to suspend Steven Baker for 12 weeks for engaging in illegal harrassment of Geelong forward Steve Johnson.

"That sort of stuff in the game, you can't tolerate and you [must] protect the ball players. If you're going to be a good player, you shouldn't have to fear someone just belting you all day," O'Keefe.

"I think the AFL's made the correct decision and I think we've got to stamp that out."

Swans club champion Ryan O'Keefe says he's grateful to the supporters who welcomed him back after a failed transfer bid.

"I was a little bit hesitant, not so much with the players or internally at the club, but with fans and members," he said.

"I wasn't quite sure what sort of response I'd get from them. I suppose after a while they warmed to me again, though."

Ryan O'Keefe says Barry Hall has accepted responsibility for his "stupid" brain snap during the Swans' loss to Hawthorn.

"Look the man he is, he took it on the chin and he said it was stupid and he accepted responsibility," O'Keefe said.

"I think you get a hell of a lot more good from Barry than bad ... and the opposition does try and provoke him.

"But he's been in brilliant form and great touch this year and we wouldn't have him any other way."