A heavily interrupted year hasn't been enough to have Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Finn O'Sullivan ruled out of the Pick 1 conversations, with the balanced yet damaging onballer arguably the premiership prospect on offer from this year's pool of teenagers.
O'Sullivan entered 2024 touted as a strong chance to go first overall come November due to his stellar bottom-age campaign with the Chargers and Vic Country, with the Koroit product playing a leading role in an engine room that also boasted Harley Reid, Darcy Wilson, George Stevens and Zane Duursma.
The youngster's U18s carnival was so good he would be one of just three players of his age level to make the All-Australian team, joining South Australia's Sid Draper and Vic Metro's Levi Ashcroft.
That honour came 12 months after O'Sullivan claimed the Kevin Sheehan Medal, recognised as the best player at the U16s National Championships.
2024 provided challenges for O'Sullivan, who dealt with several setbacks relating to hand and finger injuries that kept him to four games for Oakleigh and two games for Vic Country for the year.
While his numbers - 17.3 disposals, 4.0 marks, 5.3 inside 50s, 3.0 clearances, 5.8 score involvements, 3.5 tackles and 1.3 goals per game in the Talent League - don't leap off the page, it's O'Sullivan's output from each disposal that has AFL scouts excited.
A true all-round midfielder, the 182cm ball-winner is an inside-outside threat in the centre of the field and can also switch to a defensive role, with his endurance, kicking and overhead abilities among the many traits that play a part in O'Sullivan's game.
Richmond at Pick 1 or 6 could secure O'Sullivan, with the Tigers' earlier selection more likely given clubs - like North Melbourne, Carlton and Adelaide - awaiting in the queue shortly after will also be keen on the talented teenager.
O'Sullivan's balanced and long list of strengths earn him comparisons to Brisbane gun Josh Dunkley, while the Vic Country star also looks to mimic the work of his second cousin, Carlton's Sam Walsh.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
State: Victoria
Club: Koroit
Strengths
Stoppage Craft
Kicking
Marking
Inside-Outside Threat
Output
Draft Range
Pick 1-6
Potential Landing Spots
Richmond (Picks 1 and 6)
North Melbourne (Pick 2)
Carlton (Pick 3)
Adelaide (Pick 4)
AFL Comparison
Expert Comments
"He's a natural ball-winner, and there's just something about him โ he has time and space, he's good on his feet, tough, and has natural flair on the outside as well." - Paul Corrigan.
