Lions utility Jesse O'Brien answered questions from fans during a 30-minute live online chat at 2:30pm (Queensland time) on Wednesday 29 February 2012.

Please find below an edited transcript from what was said during the Q&A session.

Jesse O’Brien: Hey guys how’s things?

James: I am good thanks Jesse, how’s Browny?

Jesse O’Brien: Haven’t heard anything yet, but hopefully he’s all good

James: What position are you hoping to grab this season?

Jesse O’Brien: Hopefully I can play a bit of everywhere. I’ve been training mostly in the midfield, on the wing and in the forward line, so hopefully you will see me playing everywhere

Sheryn and Roger: We were there Saturday night - you played very well - how did you pull up?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Sheryn and Roger, thankyou :) I pulled up pretty good, was a slower game due to the conditions, so pulled up well

Sarah: Hey Jesse, what do you like to do in your free time besides play AFL? Did you always want to be with the Lions or did you have another club in mind?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Sarah. My favourite things to do outside of footy are probably surfing, golf and tennis…and relaxing! I didn’t mind which AFL club I ended up at, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity the Lions gave me and I’m very happy here

Michelle: Hi Jesse! Footy was great Sat night. Metricon was a change from the Gabba! What do you think you would have done if you weren't playing footy?

Jesse O’Brien: I was working as a plumber before I got picked up, so hopefully I can make a career out of footy so I don’t have to go back to trade work :)

Sarah: What has been your worst injury?

Jesse O’Brien: I’ve had a few pretty bad injuries - cracked my ribs twice, broken collarbone and a stress fracture in my leg. Hopefully I can stay injury free this year and play some more games

Anthony: What are your goals for this year?

Jesse O’Brien: Hi Anthony, I guess my personal goal this year is to cement a spot in the senior team and hopefully keep improving and play more games than I did last year

Mrs. Sheep wife of Roger: Hey Champ, hope you've cooled down from this morning. How were the muffins? :P Who's your favourite tennis player?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Kaz, yeah they were good, big Sammy Michael stole one from me though. Favourite tennis player would have to be the ‘Fed’

Peter: Hi Jesse. How did Jordan Lisle pull up from his first Lions game? He looked pretty good for us

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah, he pulled up pretty good I think. Yeah, he looked really good, was a tough night for forwards and I thought he still played really well

Amy: Where do you think the Lions will finish on the ladder this season?

Jesse O’Brien: I think we could finish top 8, fingers crossed

Oliver: Which team did you barrack for growing up? Was it Adelaide or Port Adelaide?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Oliver, I wasn’t a big fan of Port as a kid, used to love the Crows and Collingwood (please don’t hold that against me)

Sarah: Do you get to go out and party occasionally, or is that to unhealthy for you lot?

Jesse O’Brien: Nah, we are allowed to go out sometimes. I don’t go out to often though.

Amy: Did you hear someone call your name on Saturday night when you were in the substitute vest?

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah, usually it’s abuse I get from the crowd when we play at an away ground, so it was good to get some cheers at a different ground away from the Gabba

Peter: What was the hardest thing/session that you did over pre-season?

Jesse O’Brien: Hi Peter, great question. Unfortunately there has been a few too many, but one that sticks in mind is the day we did 26 x 150m sprints.

KLR: What footy hero did you have on your bedroom wall as a kid?

Jesse O’Brien: Nathan Buckley was my childhood hero. Had him on my wall and as my doona cover

Oliver: Which players have given you the most advice since coming to Brisbane?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Oliver, I guess the more experienced players like Browny and Blacky have given me the most advice, they have been around for a long time and have some helpful tips

Sheryn and Roger: You look 'bigger' this year Jesse - have you added a few kilos?

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah, I’ve added about 4 kilos to the frame this year, so hopefully u will see me throwing my weight around a bit this year, haha. I still want to add a few more kilos though

Glen: Yo Jessie! Do you ever rate your performance on field according to your Dream Team scores?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Glen, nah I don’t really pay too much attention to Dream Team. But there’s a lot of things you do that can make you have a good game rather than just focussing on kicks and handballs.

KLR: Do you live with any of the boys? If yes, who?

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah, I live with Cheynee Stiller and his wife Brooke, they look after me pretty well

Guest: Is it hard to balance your career and your social life??

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah definitely. But I think any of my friends would give up anything to be in my shoes, and I’m willing to give up a few things to play footy

Lucy: Are you going to stay with the Lions?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Lucy, yeah I love being at the Lions, so hopefully I’ll stay a one-club player

Sheryn and Roger: Did you know Rohan Bewick before he joined the Lions? He sure knows how to stir you!

Jesse O’Brien: Haha, nah I didn’t know Rohan before he came to the Lions. But we always have good banter.

Beatrice: Is it hard to balance a girlfriend and a career?

Jesse O’Brien: Haha not at all, thankfully I’m single so it’s alright.

Baboon: Do you like Michael Voss as a coach?

Jesse O’Brien: Yeah I love having Vossy as a coach, I’ve learnt a lot of things from him, so he’s been a big influence on my career

Brendan: Which of the new boys will have the biggest impact this year?

Jesse O’Brien: Watch out for Elliot Yeo and Sammy Docherty, both look like great players

Amy: BEST WISHES FOR 2012 SEASON! Hope everything goes well, and you have the most amazing year!!!

James: Why number 34? Is it significant or a junior number?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey James, nah it’s not a significant number or anything, was just one of the numbers that was free when I came to the club.

Bato: Hey Jesse! A quick question, whose performance most impressed you last Saturday night?

Jesse O’Brien: Hey Bato, I think Joel Patful and ‘Goose’ Maguire were solid down back and I thought they were very impressive

Thanks guys, great chatting. Hope to see you all at games in 2012.

GO LIONS!!!


You can also CLICK HERE to view some of the recent live chat transcripts with Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Bryce Retzlaff, Aaron Cornelius, James Polkinghorne, Josh Green, Dayne Zorko and Brent Staker.