STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Evasiveness
+ Stoppage craft
+ Tackling
+ Toughness

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Exposure
- Size

A Vic Country squad member at both Under 17 and Under 18 level, it was unfortunate that O’Sullivan couldn’t get onto the park as often as he would’ve liked this season, with few injuries throughout the year coming at inopportune times. Instead of performance to date, there is a fair bit of projection associated with O’Sullivan on what he has shown when he’s been out on the field for his NAB League and APS sides, Oakleigh Chargers and Xavier College respectively.

O’Sullivan looks at his most comfortable when lining up in the centre square, boasting a nice blend of inside and outside traits and genuine tenacity at the contest - as both an inside ball winner and an outside release option for his teammates. O’Sullivan rarely wastes disposals, with his hands in-tight a particular highlight of his game, able to assess his options quickly in the thick of the contest and feed out to runners quickly. He is just as dangerous when playing as a receiver with his kicking, generally putting the ball to the advantage of his forwards to lead into.

His toughness and tackling strength are other traits that lend to being a well rounded midfielder, quickly reacting when opponents win the ball to stand in their way and wrap them up. When given the go-to role at stoppages, there aren’t many times O’Sullivan is on the defensive though, with the timing of his runs and reading of the ball off the rucks' hands two areas that stand out in his game. These were best shown in his limited representative games in the last two years, at U17’s level for Country and in the trial matches earlier this year, where he was a standout for his team with his constant pressure on opponents and tenacity at the contest were hard for opposition to deal with.

Whilst he’s looked his best in the centre square, O’Sullivan has shown his ability to impact up forward as well, bringing a similar style to his midfield play with the addition of being a goal threat with his ability to follow up the ball from aerial duels and tackles.

Being a sub-180cm prospect, there are naturally concerns about O’Sullivan’s size for a midfielder at the next level, and whether his impact from junior grades would translate as well against bigger opposition. While he has shown he can impact as a small forward, his craft there will be an area that an AFL club will look to improve to be more consistent. His time on the sidelines will also be a question mark heading into the draft, and whether he’s shown enough in comparison to players who have had a cleaner run.