Premier Cricket 2022-23: Fitzroy Doncaster coach Mick O’Sullivan calls time

The curtain is set to fall on one of Premier Cricket’s most decorated coaching stints in recent memory. Latest here.

IT is the end of an era at Fitzroy Doncaster.

Decorated coach Mick O’Sullivan has confirmed he will leave his post at the end of the Lions’ Premier Cricket campaign after close to a decade at the helm.

The dual Lions premiership mentor arrived ahead of the 2014-15 season, taking the club from the middle of the table to powerhouse status with three grand finals in a row for flags in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

He’s one of just a handful of Victorians across international, domestic and Premier cricket to have poured in more than 500 games as a player and coach among stops at also Northcote, North Melbourne, Footscray and Victoria.

Fitzroy Doncaster’s Peter Dickson (L) and coach Michael O'Sullivan (R) lift the 2015-16 cup. Picture: Hamish Blair

O’Sullivan broke the news to the players on Thursday night and cited work and family reasons for his decision to step away.

“The main reason is I’m doing about three jobs at the minute, and I’ve got my fifth grandchild due in March,” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s just felt right, but I’ve never enjoyed my cricket more … it’s been my most enjoyable stop.

“It’s hard to leave something that you love, and it will be missed.”

The 64-year-old said while the two flags are a point of pride on-field, the people and relationships forged across the nine-year stretch are the highlight from the presidents down.

A pre-season camp at Torquay early in O’Sullivan’s stint had established the acronym A.C.T. I.O.N. S – Attitude, Compete, Team, Integrity, Opportunity, Never, Success.

Setting the tone for the Lions’ prosperity, the acronym has continued to evolve over time.

O’Sullivan also led Fitzroy Doncaster to its first club championship since the early ‘60s in 2018.

“It’s been extraordinary, our culture,” O’Sullivan said.

“The premierships are bloody nice, but the highlight’s got to be the people.

“The quality of the player and person – I joined at 55 (years old) and didn’t know what to expect.”

The Lions (11th) will play Dandenong (16th) in the last round of the home-and-away season across the next fortnight and remain a chance to play finals following a fourth win a row.

While the next two weeks could be O’Sullivan’s swansong, he thanked the club and said it was in a sound position for the future.

“Everyone’s got a point of difference that is so valuable, it’s extraordinary,” he said.

“For the contribution they all give, when you add it together, we all score.

“It’s been a good journey … it’s been a great stop and a big part of my life.”