Patrick O’Sullivan is one of the young Shepparton players the Bears are relying on to again make them a force in the Gotafe GVFL.
Patrick is the son of Bears president, Geoff, and Donna O’Sullivan, and is one of a number of youngsters who will be experiencing senior football for the first time this season.
Like many rising stars, Patrick is already a veteran of the system which has been set in place to nurture future AFL players or better local footballers.
The 19-year-old played 63 junior games with Notre Dame in four years helping win a premiership each year, while he won the best and fairest, finishing second twice and third once.
If consistency is the hallmark of a champion, Patrick is displaying plenty of that quality, while in his first season in the GVFL Thirds; the Bears won the flag in 2012, making it five flags in a row, while last season they finished third.
Last Friday against arch rivals Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve under the lights, Patrick played an excellent game on the backline and was singled out for some special praise from coach Brad Campbell.
Just like another Mooroopna Golf Club Rising Star nomination, Mooroopna’s Rhys McKenzie when he was named among the best for the Cats against the Swans in his first senior game a fortnight ago.
Patrick’s mates James Lloyd, Mitchell Brett and last season’s Mooroopna Golf Club rising star nomination Nicholas Rokahr are other youngsters on the rise at Shepparton.
A gap year student seeking work, “not to focus on football but to have a break from studies, yet it has worked out well and has allowed me to show a lot more interest in the game than I would have for instance last year when I was playing Under 18s and completing VCE at Notre Dame, Patrick said.
While he hopes to do a bachelor of property and real estate degree, Patrick is enjoying his football playing under the guidance and coaching of Campbell.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:31
