[1] O'Brien was a physically tough defender who usually played at centre half back.
In 1925, he commenced the season as Carlton's playing coach but lasted only two games due to disagreements within the team.
He left to join Footscray during their inaugural VFL season but played just 15 games for the club.
Victoria 15.13 (103) defeated Western Australia 14.11 (95), at North Hobart Oval, 9 August 1924, crowd: 15,687 Victoria 14.26 (110) defeated New South Wales 4.6 (30), at North Hobart Oval, 12 August 1924, crowd: 350
This Australian rules football biography of a person born in 1893 is a stub.