By Casey O'Connor
As a kid playing rugby league in Stanthorpe and Warwick, Mick O’Keefe grew up dreaming of wearing the green and gold jersey for Australia. He has now realised that dream not once, not twice but three times.
After taking a break away from the game, last weekend he had the privilege to pull on the Australian jersey for the third time when he was selected as fullback to play for the Australian Police Rugby League team. The game played at Mt Smart Stadium was the curtain raiser to the Warriors and Panthers NRL clash and the Australian side came away 24-16 winners.
O’Keefe previously represented Australia in the2017 Universities Rugby League World Cup. Australia won the Championship and O’Keefe was the Top Point Scorer in the tournament.
He had previously played in the Australian Universities side in 2015 when Australia won a test series against New Zealand. In the second Test of the series at Greymouth he was named Man of the Match.
O’Keefe has been working full time for the Qld Police Service for the past four years and says playing with the Police Rugby League this year has reignited his passion for the game. He has played alongside another Stanthorpe local Mathew Hendry representing the South East Qld Muddies Police Team and from there was selected for the Australian side.
Having rediscovered his passion for the game, O’Keefe has been playing for the Brighton Roosters in their 50th year Foundation celebrations at the Jim Lawrie Oval.
There is no doubting O’Keefe’s talent and there are plenty more opportunities available to him if he chooses to pursue them. In the meantime, three times is definitely a charm when it comes to Australian jerseys and O’Keefe is now preparing along with his Queensland Team mates to play in the annual 9/11 game against the Queensland Firies.
