STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Ball use
+ Endurance
+ Footy IQ
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:
- Defensive game
- Size

With running power an increasingly important asset for teams at AFL level, O’Leary fits the bill as someone who could provide that in spades if given the opportunity. As a player that likes to take the game on with ball in hand, and attempts to bite off difficult disposals, O’Leary is somewhat of a ‘playmaker’ off the wing, able to utilise his endurance to get involved in chains of play multiple times.

O’Leary combined particularly well with the strong on-ball brigade at Sandringham, often holding his width from contest nicely to be spotted out as a handball option. He was also reliable when teammates would kick the ball out wide into space for him to run onto and continue moving it forward with speed, often backing himself to beat opponents when caught in a foot race and showing off his impressive agility when he found himself nearly caught.

It’s been rare throughout the season to see O’Leary use the ball poorly or not actively seek out the most damaging option with ball in hand. More often than not, he looks to hit up leading forwards in the corridor via foot, or give to teammates already on the move in space by hand. However, he did balance this aspect well, understanding when he needed to take safer options or slow the game down a bit to allow his side to reset.

Heading into the next level, as with most players under 180cm nowadays, size remains a question mark for O’Leary both with height and strength, as he has been exposed at times in aerial battles and pushed off the ball when unable to get separation from his opponent. O’Leary could also look to get himself more involved defensively through games by utilising his endurance to apply pressure on opposition ball carriers, and get into the defensive 50 to rebound more often. He's lethal in attacking phases.