STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Closing speed
+ Defensive craft
+ Intercepting
+ Versatility
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Clean hands
- Set shot goalkicking
- Strength

For a player who can play at both ends of the ground, O’Farrell is preferred to a key defensive position where he can showcase his aerial ability. In the 2023 Futures game on AFL Grand Final day, O’Farrell held up the backline for Team Naitanui, showing great defensive positioning to save numerous goals, while also showcasing his play reading ability to take numerous intercept marks which saw his side get up narrowly in the end.

In the first AFL Academy game of 2024 against Coburg, O’Farrell showed great defensive positioning and intercepting, having several timed spoils. This was his first experience against matured bodies and competed very well despite his lack of size, playing to his strengths which included playing off his opponents.

O’Farrell also shows excellent closing speed, which is a very appealing trait. One moment that sticks out to mind throughout the season was in Round 2 against the Western Jets. Late in the game, the ball looked to be going through for a certain Western Jets goal and O’Farrell ran at full flight to ensure the ball was touched before going over and ended up colliding with the goal post. Luckily O’Farrell avoided injury however it was the desperation to save a goal which helped his side get the win by showing that speed and desperation was what stood out.

His versatility has also been well highlighted. While it was well known he was a preferred defender going into the Under 16 Championships in 2022, O’Farrell had played most of his season as a forward for St. Kevins. In the Vic Metro game against Western Australia, O’Farrell had been swung forward and while only kicking one goal for the game, he stood out with his strong work rate presence in the contest, being his side's best forward.

O’Farrell’s weaknesses definitely can be worked on. While he had the experience in the Academy game playing against bigger bodies, it showed that he needed to show a cleaner set of hands, especially in the contest. With exposure to an elite high-performance program, he will manage to gain more strength and size as well to compete in the contest, especially against bigger, more mature bodies.

The game against the Dandenong Stingrays in Round 18 also highlighted O’Farrell’s need for improvement with his set shot kicking, missing a few gettable set shots in their 21-point loss. While it wasn’t his best game, O’Farrell caused plenty of problems for the Stingrays defence finishing with 2.4 for the day highlighting his potential - particularly as an effective swingman.