VFL 2018: Kyneton’s Tom O’Sullivan beats injury troubles to make historic debut for Port Melbourne

TOM O’Sullivan had almost had as many injuries as he has played games on his way to a historic VFL debut for Port Melbourne.

TOM O’Sullivan has almost had as many injuries as he has played games in recent years.

The Kyneton young gun’s development has been hindered by patella tendinopathy, adductor tendinopathy, osteitis pubis and a stress reaction in his back.

The 19-year-old estimates he has missed about two years due to injury, forced to bide his time in recovery as he dreamt of a VFL opportunity.

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O’Sullivan’s chance finally arrived with Port Melbourne in Round 18 and his timing made him the 2000th player to represent the historic VFL club at senior level.

“It was a bit of a slow start, but I got into the game, just with physicality and stuff,” O’Sullivan said.

“I got pretty pumped and really wanted to win.

“You forget about the nerves and all your personal stuff and we got the win, which was good in the end.”

Tom O’Sullivan (left) dodges a tackle from Gisborne’s Clinton Young. Picture: Josie Hayden

He soaked up the energy of a buoyant Port Melbourne rooms post-match with his namesake — Borough vice-captain Tom O’Sullivan — after an unforgettable 12.10 (82) to 11.11 (77) victory over Essendon.

“It was pretty exciting to be playing in a side where there is two Tom O’Sullivans and it was my first VFL game,” he said.

“Then just another thing to stack on to it, being the 2000th player. There was a bit of hype, it was all just exciting.”

Kyneton coach Luke Beattie has admired O’Sullivan’s diligence in the past two years as he overcame several injury setbacks to feature in the Bendigo Football League.

Tom O'Sullivan takes possession for Kyneton. Picture: Josie Hayden.

“Many potentially would have just stepped aside and thrown the towel in,” Beattie said.

“But he continues to overcome adversity and pushes to play the best football he can.

“When those crossroads have been presented he has continued to make sure he works his hardest to get back to whatever level he has wanted.”

O’Sullivan, a half forward/midfielder, grew up like so many young footballers with aspirations of playing AFL.

The Monash University commerce student said his injuries had given him greater perspective and he was “really invested in having an impact in the business world”.

“I am just happy to be playing footy,” he said.

“Every week I have been back I felt have been improving and stepping up again.

“Hopefully that can keep going. I just want to make more of an impact at VFL level which will hopefully happen.”

Debutant Tom O'Sullivan (left) and Port Melbourne vice-captain Tom O'Sullivan. Picture: Jenny Tserkezidis

Beattie said O’Sullivan was a “very fluent player” who would walk into any BFL side.

“His foot skills are very strong and his ability to read the football for his age and read where the ball is going to move, is probably one of the best I have seen in my coaching career,” he said.

“He’s able to get to positions based on reading the flow of the game, rather than just on endurance running.”

Beattie said the club was proud of the resolve O’Sullivan had shown to achieve his Port Melbourne debut.

“To get to VFL in the same year as having that significant setback and recovery period is testament to his workrate,” he said.

Karen O'Sullivan (front) is the first female president of Kyneton Football Club. Picture: Rob Leeson.

O’Sullivan’s mother Karen is serving as the first female president of Kyneton in its 150th year and his older brother Max is on Richmond’s VFL list.

Their younger brothers Ned and Jack are Tigers juniors and the O’Sullivans have developed a reputation as one of the town’s famous football families.

“She has put a lot of work in over the last three or four years,” Tom said of his mother.

“She pretty much got the club going again after it couldn’t field a team five years ago.

“She’s been rewarded for that work and she does put an extreme amount of work. I am proud of all the stuff she does for the club.”