DOB: 18 January 1949
Debut: Round 13, 1967 against Geelong at Kardinia Park,
Last Game: Round 13, 1979 against Geelong at Waverley
From: St. Patrick's Ballarat
Number: 43 (1967), 4 (1968-1979)
Honours
150 Heroes selection
Victorian state player - 1976
Life Member - 1976
Night Series winner - 1971
Games: 191
Goals: 1
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
63 | 1 | 127 | 32.98 |
Statistical categories led:
Lowest goals per game average - 0.005 per game
A dour and dogged defender, Sullivan was tipped off to Melbourne secretary Jim Cardwell as a return favour for attending a function at the school. After just eight games in his first three seasons, including his first year spent in the reserves as he couldn't break into the strong Demon defence but finished second in the reserves B&F, Sullivan became a regular in 1969. In 1970 he played all 22 games, and in 1973 he was named in the club's leadership group for the first time as deputy vice-captain.
Tough and relentless, he represented Victoria against WA in 1971. Sullivan was a close checking player who was a coach's dream. He didn't win many awards but finished in the top six in the best and fairest voting half a dozen times. Found himself out of favour at the end of 1979 as Carl Ditterich was looking for quicker players. Restricted to seven games for the year but finished runner up in the Reserves best and fairest.
In 1980 Sullivan joined VFA side Waverley as playing coach, where he took the side from the bottom of the ladder to the preliminary final. He was also coach of the VFA 2nd Division in their 1981 match against the South Australian amateurs. He retired from playing in the 1982 pre-season after missing most of 1981 with a knee injury. Coached St Kevin’s Old Boys in 1985.
Sullivan's son Chris would play 27 games with the Demons (and 8 with Richmond) during the 1990's.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1967 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
1968 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
1969 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
1970 | 22 | 1 | 2 |
1971 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
1972 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
1973 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
1974 | 18 | 0 | 2 |
1975 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
1976 | 15 | 0 | 4 |
1977 | 18 | 0 | 3 |
1978 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
1979 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
Lists
Family
Goals per game
VFA
Notes
May have also played for Victoria against WA in 1971
Media
Age - 31/01/1973
Inside Football - 10/04/1980, 11/03/1982, 07/03/1985
Links
Demonwiki image gallery
VFA Project profile
hardballget.net - VFA representative honour roll
Wikipedia profile