Sullivan Latch, 8, granted rare honour by favourite AFL team

An eight-year-old Gold Coast boy who has bravely battled leukaemia has been granted a very rare privilege by his favourite footy team - one a veteran club insider said they had never seen happen before.

SULLIVAN Latch is only eight years old and although diagnosed with leukaemia, has shrugged off the trials of intensive treatment to hit the field with not only his mates but his favourite AFL team.

Doctors broke news of the diagnosis to Sullivan and his family in August 2017 – on his seventh birthday.

Since then he has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant, with the marrow donated by his younger sister Zahra, who is now seven.

Sullivan is an avid footy lover who continues to play as a midfielder for the Burleigh Bombers, and he is a huge fan of the Adelaide Crows.

“He is not the biggest kid on the footy field but he is the most determined,’’ said his mum, Chantelle Latch.

Sullivan Latch, 8, in the shed with Adelaide Crows players. Photo: James Elsby/AFL Photos

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“He just gets in there, tackles and has a go. He makes up for his lack in height and weight with determination.

“If you are going to tell him he can’t do something, he does it.”

After almost two years of painful treatment, Sullivan’s dream to meet his AFL heroes was granted by Make-A-Wish.

Watching the Adelaide Crows had helped take his mind off the pain while in hospital undergoing treatment.

When Sullivan was diagnosed in August 2017, the Crows had made it to the finals and Sullivan kept his club supporters gear close to him for six months while in hospital.

His wish to meet the team was granted by Bendigo Bank’s Mighty Mascot scheme and he was flown from the Gold Coast to Adelaide to watch the Crows play the Richmond Tigers on June 13. For Sullivan, the icing on the cake came when his beloved Crows defeated Richmond 101-68.

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Sullivan Latch, 8, with Rory Sloane and his family.

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A couple of days before his flight, Crows co-captain Rory Sloane sent a video to Sullivan inviting him to run onto the field and through the banner with the team.

Sloane and his wife Belinda have had their own trials, revealing last year the heartbreak they suffered in losing their first child, who was stillborn.

Sullivan also got to take part in the pre-game training session with the Crows where he met with Sloane, the other captain Taylor Walker, and forward Eddie Betts.

On game day, Sullivan hung out with the team before running on the field.

Sloane and Walker put in big performances.

“All of the players were so kind to him,” Ms Latch said.

“They were preparing in the rooms for a big match but they would come over and give a high five or a sneaky wink to make him feel special.

8-year-old Sullivan Latch on the field with players from the Adelaide Crows.

“After they won (and were) back in the rooms, Eddie Betts came over to Sullivan and brought him into the (players’) circle to sing the song.

“An Adelaide official told us she had worked at the club for 14 years and never seen anyone brought into the circle.”

Sullivan’s mother said he was a typical boy and “doing all the things other eight-year-old boys are doing”.

Make-A-Wish Gold Coast is holding a Winter Wonderland Charity Gala Ball 2019 on Saturday August 17 at the QT in Surfers Paradise.

All funds raised on the night will go towards creating wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses.

Tickets can be bought from stickytickets.com.au/86796winter_wonderland_charity_gala_ball.aspx and include a three course dinner and four-hour drinks package.

Make-A-Wish has granted more than 10,000 wishes across Australia over the past 30 years.