Until a few years ago major department stores had lift operators that in bored monotones announced the main contents of each floor. Second floor audio, stereo, video. Third floor fashion, after five and big is beautiful. If this last area were looking for a house model they need not have looked beyond Ryan O'Connor. He was footy's white answer to George Foreman.
Geelong traded 1991 national draft pick 37 to Essendon for John Barnes. The Bombers then selected the young Mr Mammoth from northern Tassie club Ulverstone where he had played 63 games. The Windy Hillmen gave their large arrival the number 41 jumper once worn by Dean Hartigan and Andrew Manning. O'Connor was a monster of a kid. 195 centimetres and 110 kilograms. With these proportions he could have done stunt work in 'Walking with Dinosaurs'.
The human aircraft carrier started his career in the Bomber reserves. Showed surprising agility. Strong overhead and quick hands. With thighs like the posts that hold up a wharf you'd reckon he could kick a football towards the horizon. Yet the bent knee principle reduced distance. Big Rocky made his senior debut in 1994 at the age of 20. He stood out like the control tower at Tullamarine. The oversize jumper, the red hair and the mouthguard that looked as though it had been made out of half a car tyre.
1995 put Ryan O'Connor on the map. He stepped up to become an important forward who took the rucking duties in the front half. For example round 3 against Melbourne at the G. Mid way through the first term he took a strong mark and played on. Brushed aside Sean Wight and David Neitz like they were mosquitoes. Ryan then drilled the goal from 40. His bulk created an easy path for Michael Long and Mark Mercuri who booted easy snags. Essendon home 14.14 to 12.10. The youthful Stonehenge starred in round 6 v. Brisbane at Optus. Early in the second he took a pack grab with defenders bouncing off him. Rhino went back, took his time and goaled from 45 despite the bent leg. He marked late in the third and kicked at the tall timbers. Goal umpire stationary. Dons won 19.14 to 14.16. Two nice six pointers against Geelong in round 11 that the Cats won 19.9 to 17.10. Goals against the Crows in round 14 and the round 15 draw with Richmond. He also grabbed and goaled in the second quarter of the fiery round 19 match against Collingwood at the MCG. Baby Huey provided a physical presence when it was needed. The Dons won by 8 points. 16.14 to 15.12.
On to 1996. Big Ryan inherited the number 3 jumper made famous by Fish and Dick Reynolds. Round 3 Essendon versus West Coast at the Park. The lad too big to be a man and too small to be an elephant marked twice during the second stanza. Both resulted in sausage rolls. Red and blacks easy. 16.13 to a paltry 6.14. He goaled twice in the 67 point caning of the Bulldogs in round 8.
In 1997 Okker was involved in a car accident. He wasn't seriously injured but the smash had an adverse effect on his form. At the end of the season he was delisted after 49 games for 39 goals. The Swans picked him up with 1998 national pick 52. Sydney gave him the number 16 that had been worn by Anthony Rocca. Ryan performed quite well. 14 games for 8 goals. He alternated between centre half forward and centre half back. In 1999 the big fellow had 17 games mainly in the key defensive post. He was dropped of the list at the end of 2000. 80 games. This season he is dominating with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.
Ryan O'Connor played big because he was big.