O’Brien: GF loss was the best thing to happen to Magpies

Collingwood’s All-Australian defender Harry O’Brien believes that last year’s grand final defeat was the ‘best thing’ to happen to his side.

Speaking ahead of training and a meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard the Brazilian born O’Brien believes there will be no hangover following being denied back-to-back flags by the all conquering Geelong side.

“I’m a great believer in looking at things in an optimistic way and I believe that perhaps losing the Grand Final could be the best thing for our football club,” O’Brien told reporters at Gosch’s Paddock on Wednesday.

“Who’s to say that can’t be the launching pad for a successful era?”

The Magpies who faulted at the end of last season and lost to the Cats in the Grand Final will have a new boss with former captain Nathan Buckley now the senior coach following the departure of long-time mentor Mick Malthouse.

O’Brien who shares a close friendship with Buckley admitted that the former captain has not only refreshed the side but wanted the players focus to be on football and encouraged them to have a footy with them at all times.

“Bucks is very football-focused and obviously that’s our craft, so our pre-season has revolved all around football and having a footy in our hands.”