One of the Goulburn Valley League’s star on-ballers has departed for a rival league in a major off-season shock.
Jack O’Sullivan, fresh off winning his second Morrison Medal in September, has departed Seymour for Wodonga Bulldogs in the Ovens and Murray league.
O’Sullivan was announced as playing co-coach for the Bulldogs.
The surprise news came at the weekend in what is not only a major blow to the Lions, but the Goulburn Valley League as well.
O’Sullivan captained the GVL interleague outfit against Ovens and Murray earlier this year and was best afield in the loss.
His performance at representative level flowed into club land.
The courageous, hard-edged and skilful ball-user averaged 26.7 disposals, 11.6 contested possessions, 6.4 clearances and 6.8 score involvements a game.
His classy efforts in 2023 came 12 months on from a serious shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season.
O’Sullivan featured 31 times in his three years at Kings Park and claimed the league best-and-fairest in 2021.
Seymour coach Ben Davey said the Lions were disappointed to wave goodbye to their two-time Morrison medallist.
“He’s been such a big part of our group over the last three years,” Davey said.
“He has been one of the main reasons why we have got to where we are and it’s tough to see him go.
“But in saying that, I’ve already said to the boys we didn’t have him play in 2022 and yes we finished seventh, but we did well with a young team.”
O’Sullivan is the third big departure from Kings Park this off-season.
Michael Hartley has shifted to coach Castlemaine, while Ben Clifton is taking a step back from playing.
Davey pointed out the positives despite the key personnel losses.
“We will be a young group, we’ve lost a bit of maturity there with Jack, ‘Cliffo’ and ‘Harts’ moving on,” Davey said.
“But it’s a really good opportunity for our youngsters ... your Nath Beatties, Riley Masons, Josh Alfords, Huw Jones, those type of guys.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting players and now we just need to keep our head down.”