Koroit’s Paddy O’Sullivan boots three goals in encouraging return from long stint on sidelines
Country footy clubs scramble to have VFL-listed players available for finals. See what’s happening across state.
Koroit is plotting an ultra-cautious path to have young gun Paddy O’Sullivan fit for the Hampden league finals series following an extended injury lay-off.
A member of Koroit’s most recent premiership team in 2022, O’Sullivan returned from a 13-month stint on the sidelines last round and has been selected again for the clash against Port Fairy on Saturday.
Stress fractures in his back put paid to his 2024 season and a nerve-related issue in his hip delayed his start to this year when he also joined North Melbourne’s VFL team after his younger brother Finn was drafted to the Kangaroos.
“He’s not 100 per cent,” Koroit coach Chris McLaren said.
“He’s still got a fair amount of pain and is trying to work through it.
“We’re planning to build his minutes up slowly over the next three or four weeks.
“We’ve still got to qualify for finals, but that’s the plan to have him available.
“It’s more an issue of how he pulls up after games.”
O’Sullivan made an instant impact in his first game back with three goals, including the first of the match in under 15 seconds.
Koroit is sitting fourth, but only one win behind second-placed South Warrnambool in one of the most even Hampden league seasons in history.
Koroit has a bye after the Port Fairy clash and O’Sullivan has three more games to qualify for finals.
Others big name players at Hampden clubs in finals contention who have recently qualified for finals include North Warrnambool’s Michael Barlow and Terang-Mortlake pair Colin O’Riordan and Trent West.
Up until last season, a player only had to be registered with a club to play in the Hampden league finals series.
Meanwhile, North Albury is in a race against time to get Foster Gardiner qualified for finals.
He joined VFL reigning premiers Werribee at the end of May and still has to play two more games for North Albury to qualify for finals.
Werribee has a bye this weekend and Gardiner will return to his home club for its clash against another top-five contender Wangaratta.
VFL: Benalla tall Nathan Wright to debut for the Northern Bullants this round. He's kicked 46 goals from 14 games in the Goulburn Valley this year. Was previously a Queensland U18 representative and member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) August 1, 2025
Rochester’s Drew Lloyd also played his fifth Goulburn Valley finals match to qualify for finals, but if he plays two more matches for Port Melbourne he will be ruled out.
‘Avalanche effect’: How Wang Rovers are building a dynasty in equalisation era
