Leigh Brown and Ryan O’Sullivan still playing at senior level in country footy in their 40s
A select group of players aged 40 and above are still playing at senior level in country footy, including a former AFL premiership player. Meet some of them here.
Meet country footy’s golden oldies.
The players, aged 40 years or plus, who are still going strong at senior level in the bush, such as Collingwood 2010 premiership player Leigh Brown, who is playing and coaching his original club, Heyfield, aged 43, and booted a bag of goals in round 1.
And, Ryan O’Sullivan, who has been the best ruckman in country footy since 2000 after overcoming a major health scare in his early 30s and got the chance to play at senior level last year alongside his teenage son for the first time.
He turns 45 in July.
Brown was only 16 when he played in the first of four flags in a row won by Heyfield from 1997.
Two years later he was drafted by Fremantle along with another Victorian Country draftee, Adam Butler, who retired at the end of last year after reaching the 300-match milestone for Ovens & Murray club Lavington.
After finishing his AFL career on 246 matches, Brown returned home and played a handful of matches for Heyfield most years until he was appointed coach in 2023.
“I broke my ankle in the middle of last year and it’s the worst injury I’ve ever had,” he said.
“I didn’t want to finish like that to be honest.
“We’ve also got a really good, young group of players from the town.
“I just want to support them and pass on some of that experience and wisdom I suppose.
“It would be nice to finish with another flag and ride off into the sunset.
“But it doesn’t always happen like that.”
Heyfield reached a preliminary final in 2023 and lost to eventual premiers Woodside in the first semi-final last year.
This season, Heyfield is on top of the ladder undefeated with the Kangaroos’ most recent victory being over Sale City, who coached by another “golden oldie”, former AFL player Jacob Schuback, aged 41.
“The biggest challenge when you’re 43 is the knocks hang around a bit longer,” Brown said.
“Everyone is a bit quicker, so I don’t mind the wet days when everyone comes back to my speed.
“But I don’t sit here and say I’m going to play every game.
“There will be ones where I manage myself and try and look after myself as best I can.
“The body is feeling OK and you can do all the running and weights you want to do, but it’s the bash and crash that catches up with you as you get older.”
Brown booted seven goals in the first round against Churchill and Heyfield injected another key forward into the line-up last round, Darren Sheen, who has kicked more than 1200 career goals in country and suburban leagues.
But front of mind for Brown is the next crop of homegrown Heyfield youngsters who’ve stayed loyal in the hope of breaking a 13-year premiership drought.
“We want to fast track these kids without putting too much pressure on them,” Brown said.
“If we can take a better defender and allow them to just play and enjoy it a little bit more that is great.”
O’Sullivan emerged as country footy star in the early 2000s playing in the Central Murray league.
His career started at Swan Hill, but took off when he switched to Tooleybuc-Manangatang, winning a flag in 2007 and winning four Jack Betts Medals between 2004 and 2014.
His fourth medal win followed a bowel cancer diagnosis, aged 31.
“When I got diagnosed, I thought I’d never play footy again,” O’Sullivan said.
“But once I got over that and through everything else, I got going again.
“I’ve been all clear for 12 years or more now.
“The only other injuries I’ve had are a couple of broken fingers.
“Touch wood, I’ve never had a bad shoulder or knee injury.”
O’Sullivan has played at North Central club Sea Lake-Nandaly since 2017, winning the Feeny Medal in his first season.
He has played in three flags including the back-to-back wins of 2023-24 with the club right in the mix to win another this year.
Last year had added significance for O’Sullivan, who played alongside his son Cruz at senior level for the first time.
“I just still enjoy playing footy,” he said.
“Otherwise I would have retired years ago.
“We’re all good mates and we’re all local.
“We haven’t got a side that has got players from here, there and everywhere.
“Every Tuesday and Thursday we’re training together.”
STILL GOING STRONG
(Players aged over 40 still playing senior footy)
PAUL ARANDT, Avenel
Became the first Avenel player to hit the 300-match senior milestone in the 2023 season. In a great career, Arandt has had stints as captain and won best and fairests.
MICK DEDINI, Tyntynder
Played for Tytynder since 2017 and collected more than 30 possessions in round 1. Previously played for Hay, Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Lake Boga.
MICHAEL GEARY, Yinnar
Star player in more than 200 matches for Traralgon in a career that also includes a flag, a Trood Award and Rodda Medal. Joined Yinnar in 2017 and won the Mid Gippsland league best and fairest. Back playing this year.
JACOB SCHUBACK, Sale City
Played seven matches for the Adelaide Crows before returning to Gippsland to become a club legend of Sale City where he has been a long-serving coach and four-time premiership player.
PETER AINSWORTH, Newborough
Five-time club best and fairest winner in a 350-match career at Moe before being appointed coach of Mid Gippsland club Newborough where he has played in the opening rounds.
SHANE BREWSTER, Trafalgar
Represented Vic Country at the over-35s Masters Carnival last year and switched from Warragul Industrials to Trafalgar where he has played seniors in opening rounds.
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