It also says a lot that the man and rugby player who quietly said goodbye at Ballymore in recent days is the best of those versions.
At 17, he was still the precocious kid who had no driver’s license and had to ride a bike to catch the team bus for his first trip away with the Western Force in 2008.
Now, at 34, he is able to wryly joke that this is not an exit forced on him as happened several times early in his substantial yet chequered career.
When he left the Reds after a single season stint in 2015, no one knew under what guise he would return, if at all. As a restless soul at that time, he had still to find his way.
This time, there is a certainty that Queensland rugby will see more benefits from a figure who remains one of the most popular in Australian rugby two years after playing the last of his 64 Tests.
As much as he is heading into a new experience overseas, his yearning to keep passing on his knowledge as a coach will bring him back to Queensland one day.
It will surprise many that he has already completed his Level Two coaching certificate, enjoyed being an assistant coach of the Churchie First XV and worked with last year’s Queensland Under-16s and Under-18s.
“I’ve enjoyed an awesome five years at the Reds and the chance to right a few wrongs,” O’Connor said.
“Even this year, when I didn’t play many games, I got a lot of satisfaction. As I saw it, part of my role was to share my experiences.
“What I hope I did was share some knowledge and wisdom with Harry (McLachlan-Phillips), Tom (Lynagh) and Lawson (Creighton) as 10s. Things like reading situations, how to get more looks, when to take on the line, the territory game and so on. Probably the highlight of my year was seeing the growth of the two younger guys, Tom and Harry.
“Working with (former Reds backs coach) Jim McKay started to burn a fire about coaching. I think the next step is to do some coaching but also be on the field doing it in games.”
O’Connor played 68 games for the Reds all up after his first Super Rugby stints with the Force and Melbourne Rebels and his initial sojourn abroad.
The Gold Coast-bred youngster, who attended Nudgee College, took a circuituous route to represent the Reds but the meaning was deep when he did.
“The dream was always to play for the Reds for a Queensland boy from the Gold Coast. It took a bit longer than some to play in the maroon jersey but I’m very grateful for my second life at the Reds,” O’Connor said.
It was his honesty about his mistakes and what he wanted to contribute that led former head coach Brad Thorn to sign him for the 2020 season. O’Connor all but wrote the behaviour clauses into his own contract.
“I’m very grateful that ‘Thorny’ gave me a second chance at the Reds and I’m proud that I’ve done what I said I’d do,” O’Connor said.
“My second life in the maroon jersey has meant a lot more to me and that 2021 Super Rugby AU season is probably my favourite in any sort of rugby.
“In our group that year, a lot went from boys to men when we won the Super Rugby AU competition.”
At flyhalf, O’Connor’s evolution was dramatic. Here was the self-centred kid of the past becoming the sharing, giving creator of play for all those around him.
“All I knew as a young fella was to create for myself and beat players one-on-one,” he reflected.
“The evolution was to open up play for others because the 10’s job is to get the best out of the weapons around him to win more often. You use your mind to manipulate defences.”
O’Connor’s praise for head coach Les Kiss and his coaching staff carries weight because he has been involved in so many coaching structures at national level and abroad in France and England.
“Les and the other coaches are easily the most cohesive group I have ever worked with and I’m thankful I got to be part of it this year,” O’Connor penned himself.
He added: “Each of the coaches is synced up in every part of the game.”
O’Connor did get to farewell Suncorp Stadium at the helm of an excellent Queensland effort against Wales.
“Even driving to the game, I thought it could be my last game for the Reds,” he said.
“The game turned out to be running rugby at its finest so it was a great game to finish on at Suncorp.”
A final game against Tonga in Nuku’lofa left him with a concussion but an hilarious spin-off. A Tongan lady in a white dress in the crowd carried a sign “Marry Me O’Connor.”
“Yeah. The boys invited her on the team bus after the game. I was a little concussed. It was a funny moment,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor will be following the Reds’ fortunes in 2025.
“We’ve already seen a huge shift in 2024 with a different team blueprint. The squad has been bolstered for 2025 and I’m expecting finals for sure,” he said.
A grateful O’Connor is heading abroad. For the first time in his career, we can say with some certainty, he will return.
