RYAN O’Sullivan’s star has shone brightly for Tooleybuc Manangatang this season.
Illness and work commitments have been obstacles in recent seasons but a return to health and an uninterrupted preseason have seen the Saints tall once again a vital contributor, as his side prepares for Sunday’s first semi-final.
O’Sullivan’s form this season has been rewarded with The Guardian’s 2014 LJ Hooker Player of the Year award for the third time, a latest gong in a long list of achievements for the star ruckman.
The former Jack Betts Medallist opened the season with a solid performance against Nyah Nyah West United earning him a single vote.
He was awarded two votes against Tyntynder in Round 7 and Koondrook Barham in Round 8, before hitting a vote-winning purple patch from Round 11.
His performance in the Saints’ win at Cohuna earned him best on ground honours, which he backed up with best on ground votes the following week.
A third best on ground for the season came against Balranald in Round 15. O’Sullivan’s final tally of 21 votes saw him five votes clear of Woorinen’s Ben Heenan and Mallee Eagle Warren Carlyle.
O’Sullivan said he had once again been enjoying his football after his 2011 bowel cancer diagnosis.
“Coming back from illness and having a full preseason, the body is feeling pretty good,” he said.
“Working away the last two years up north I haven’t had that. I’m staying at home now and got a full preseason in and I feel like I’m back to how I was playing before I got sick.”
LJ Hooker real estate principle John Monahan said O’Sullivan was “one of the true stand-out footballers in the region”.
“The fact that he has won this award three times now stamps him as a genuine champion. His outstanding season has earned him the admiration of the league and I am personally thrilled to be able to present him with this award again,” he said.
“((O’Sullivan’s)) recovery from a major illness to regain his stellar form this year has been a great personal challenge and his resounding win speaks volumes for his ability, determination and commitment.”
