Article from: Weekly Times
Luke McManus
August 24, 2010
WHEN it comes to current champions of the Central Murray league, it's hard to go past Ryan O'Sullivan.
The Tooleybuc-Manangatang ruckman's footballing achievements read like a book: three Jack Betts medals as the league's best-and-fairest, five club best-and-fairest medals with the Saints, and another at his previous club, Swan Hill.
Last month, O'Sullivan donned the Big V jumper at the Australian Country Football Championships in Canberra where his performances netted him a spot in the All-Australian side.
"He's a fantastic player, one of the best ruckman going around in country footy," Tooleybuc-Manangatang coach Ash Thompson said.
"He does all the right things, puts in 100 per cent on the track, does everything you can ask for in a player and it definitely shows on game day."
O'Sullivan's introduction to junior footy began at the Swan Hill Football Club; his father Tim was also an esteemed player at the Swans.
"Dad played at North Ballarat, Lalbert and, of course, Swan Hill, so I've been around footy all my life," O'Sullivan said. "I always loved going to trainings with him and having a kick."
But O'Sullivan's playing career was initially delayed by a childhood accident.
At the age of eight, he was involved in a motorbike crash which left him in hospital for three months.
"I was doing silly things on the motorbike as many kids do and I fell off, breaking my right femur in half," he said.
"I had to pretty much learn how to walk again, so that put me out of action for a while and prolonged my start to junior footy."
O'Sullivan joined the Saints in 2004 and was an important member of their 2007 premiership team - an achievement "Sully" savours above all others.
"It has definitely been a highlight of my career," he said.
"So many footballers miss out on playing in a grand final, and only a few players experience winning a premiership, so I feel pretty lucky."
O'Sullivan said he was surprised to be named in the All-Australian team, along with fellow Central Murray league player Xavier Maloney, from the Swan Hill Football Club.
"I didn't expect it," he said. "To be selected alongside the best country footballers in Australia is a great feeling and a real honour."
Along with his on-field success, O'Sullivan and partner Jemma have scored goals off the field, welcoming the birth of their son, Cruz, at the end of 2008.
Last Modified on 29/05/2013 11:58