Koroit’s Finn O’Sullivan wins Kevin Sheehan Medal for Victoria Country

A 16-year-old footballer from Koriot won the Kevin Sheehan Medal for Victoria Country at Adelaide despite his team not winning a match.

Koroit’s Finn O’Sullivan is not believing just yet he could one day be an AFL player.

But all the signs so far for the 16-year-old point to it happening in the next two to three years.

O’Sullivan won the Kevin Sheehan Medal last weekend for Victoria Country after the under-16 national championships concluded in Adelaide.

While his team didn’t win a match, losing to Western Australia (16 points), Victoria Metro (27 points) and South Australia (63 points), the talented Oakleigh Charger impressed, being deemed as the best player in the tournament.

He now joins the likes of Josh Rachele (2019), Corey Durdin (2018), Noah Anderson (2017), Connor Rozee (2016) and Rhys Mathieson (2015) as those who have won the award in the previous few years.

Almost all of the recipients of that award in history have gone on to play at the top level with the previous five winners all at clubs currently.

O’Sullivan is not daring to dream just yet but is honoured to join them.

“There’s a lot of big names and great people on that list,” O’Sullivan said.

“All I’m trying to do is play good footy and doing it week by week.

“I thought I had a pretty solid carnival.

“I don’t know if I deserved it, but I’m stoked that I did.

“There were a lot of really good players in that comp and it shows how good it is.”

Koroit's Finn O'Sullivan is on the right path to an AFL career after taking out the Kevin Sheehan Medal for the best player at the under-16 national championships. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos.

It’s been a big year for the talented midfielder.

He’s moved to Melbourne to pursue his AFL dream, joining Xavier College to study and play while also joining the Oakleigh Chargers, from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.

Currently, he’s playing under-16 for the Chargers but there is potential for more this season.

“Oakleigh have been unreal to me, guiding me really well and I’ve started to be put into their under-18 program,” O’Sullivan said.

“The transition (to Melbourne) has been really smooth.”

If O’Sullivan continues his trajectory he could join recent Chargers alumni who have recently gone number one in the AFL draft – Nick Daicos (2021), Jamarra Ugle-Hagen (2020) and Matt Rowell (2019)

O’Sullivan said his main position is an outside midfielder, but he has played forward, defence and in the middle for his teams this year.

The goal is simple for the 16-year-old.

“I just try to play the best footy I can,” Sullivan said.

“I’m not too bad of a runner, so I use my ability and work rate to get to the ball.

“I’m focused on strengthening my weapon – my run, my work rate and my ability.”

And O’Sullivan knows if he gets ahead of himself his family will soon put him on the right path.

“My family and friend support me and help balance my lifestyle,” he said.

“Mum and dad have been awesome, they want for me to have fun with footy and try to make me have fun with it.

“If I’m starting to get too big for my own shoes, they will pull me back.”

The immediate focus for O’Sullivan is helping his two brothers have premiership glory in Koroit for the Saints.

O’Sullivan made his debut recently for the team in seniors, joining his brothers Paddy and Jack in the team.

The Saints are currently first in the Hampden Football Netball League with the trio looking to help the side win its seventh premiership in a row – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 – after the 2020 and 2021 seasons were cancelled due to covid.

“That’s my next goal, to win a premiership with my two older brothers,” O’Sullivan said.

“It was one of the most fun games I’ve ever played (my debut).”

O’Sullivan will play for the Saints this week as he returned to Koroit this week for a trip home during the school holidays.

And his inclusion will be vital as Koroit takes on South Warrnambool in a top of the table clash in the seniors.

The match starts at 2pm at Victoria Park in Koroit.