AFL 2024: Collingwood Magpies size up Footscray VFL skipper Lachie Sullivan

“Shattered” to be overlooked in the national AFL draft, Footscray VFL captain Lachie Sullivan has been thrown a lifeline by Collingwood.

Lachlan Sullivan in action for Footscray. He is to start training at Collingwood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

It’s off the tools and onto the training track for Lachie Sullivan.

The Footscray VFL captain will start training with Collingwood on Wednesday in the hope of gaining a listing during the supplemental selection period.

Sullivan, 25 and coming off his best season in the VFL, was contacted by Pies’ recruiter Derek Hine last week. He underwent a medical and met Collingwood list chief Graeme Wright on Monday.

The midfielder said he was surprised to receive the call, which followed the disappointment of being overlooked in the national and rookie drafts.

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, to be honest,’’ Sullivan said this afternoon.

“I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed (with the draft). Pretty shattering. But you’ve got to move on. And now here I am a week later being given this opportunity. Like I said, it’s pretty crazy how it works.

“It’s full-time (training) starting tomorrow and then pretty much following their program until Christmas, I’d say. I’ll find out as we go along. It’s a great opportunity. I was stoked when they called. I can’t wait to get into it.’’

He added: “I’ll be doing everything I can to make the most of it.’’

Lachlan Sullivan in his role as captain for Footscray. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sullivan, an electrician, had an outstanding 2023 season, averaging 30.9 possessions from 20 games.

He won his second Footscray best and fairest, earned a team-of-the-year plaque and polled 21 votes to finish equal-third in the JJ Liston Trophy.

Sullivan was also crowned the league MVP.

“I reckon my impact has been a lot greater this year,’’ he told CODE Sports in August.

“I think I’m doing more with the footy, which is what you always want, and we’re winning games too. I feel like I’m getting better every year, to be honest.’’

Footscray VFL coach Stewart Edge recruited Sullivan to the ‘Scray in 2018 after he figured in a VAFA flag with St Kevin’s.

“He’s a running machine,’’ Edge said.

“Every week he knocks out 14 kilometres and four kilometres of high-intensity running. There is no AFL player who comes into our team and runs further than that. So he covers the ground extremely well, exceptionally well, and he’s good with ball in hand.’’

He called Sullivan a “quiet achiever’’, who without fuss or fanfare was in the best players most weeks.

“He just gets it done, leads by example, and he’s a ripping young guy,’’ Edge said. Sullivan played in the TAC Cup for the Oakleigh Chargers and has been captain of Footscray since 2021.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Collingwood Magpies size up Footscray VFL skipper Lachie Sullivan