GVL Hall of Fame Inductee: Matthew O'Sullivan

 2024 GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League Hall of Fame Inductee 

Matthew O’Sullivan

When looking through the list of top footballers in the GVL you come across many who not only succeed at football, but excel in other sports as well. The GVL now inducts such a person who would have to be regarded as the best all round sportsman at 
Seymour Football Netball Club

Matthew O’Sullivan is a part of a well-known Seymour family who have produced top sports performers as well as taking on important roles as administrators and supporters.

Matts football life began as many Seymour players have, as a junior at St. Marys junior football club in the under 10s. After juniors, he was elevated into the Seymour 3rds in 1983 where he played under the coaching of Robin Gardener.

He took to the game with gusto and it was no surprise when he became a member of his beloved Seymour Lions senior team in 1985 after playing 6 reserves games. Peter Gorski was the coach.

Matt relished the opportunity to play with top players and in his second season in 1986 he won the Seymour Best player award. By 1987 he was the senior captain of the Lions. He settled in to the team as a top player and guided the Lions during their team building towards the ultimate prize which came in 1991 when the Lions defeated Tongala by 9 points to become GVL premiers.

Then there were some lean years during the nineties when Matt played his heart out in a club which was struggling to play finals.

He was selected to represent the League on 7 occasions and loved the opportunity to be involved in Interleague games and enjoyed wearing the purple and gold GVL jumper. He appreciated the friends he made and the opportunity to play with top players in the League. He also won the Shepparton News Award selected by the News football writers.

He took the opportunity to accept a coaching role with the Broadford club in 1995 & 6 then returned to the Lion’s Den. At the end of the nineties, he decided to retire on 199 games. However, he was talked into returning to play 2 years later to notch up his 200th game. This gave him a qualified Life membership of the GVL to add to his Life membership of Seymour. In 2000 he was named in the Seymour Team of the century.

Following his playing days, he remained highly involved with the club. He was president of Seymour in 2001 and 2002 and then was a selector on the match committee for the premiership years of 2005 & 6.

Matt also supported junior football as coach of St. Marys under 16s from 2009 – 2011 and moved on to coach the Seymour 3rds from 2012 to 2014 which was a grand final year. He coached the Reserves in 2016 & 17 and also spent more time on the match committee. What a wonderful commitment to Seymour.

In the year 2017 only 2 players in the Seymour senior team had not been coached by Matthew. It is also important to note that Matt did not receive any money from the Seymour club either as a player, an administrator or a coach. His commitment was voluntary.

As mentioned, Matt has also excelled in other sports. He was amongst the best performers in the Seymour Cricket Association, he is a champion lawn bowler, and plays golf off scratch.

With that wonderful sporting record and an example of what a dedicated player can do for a club he loves. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Matthew O’Sullivan as a member of the GVL Hall of Fame.

Seymour FNC News

By Mitch Itter June 15, 2025
Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 3.6.24 def by Rochester 9.13.67 Best: D Arandt, A Nash, L Sainsbury, H Thomson, B McCarthy Goals: S Brown 1, A Nash 1, L Sainsbury 1 O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 12.20.92 def Rochester 6.5.41 The Lions continued their winning ways with a 51 point victory over Rochester. The first half saw an even contest with the Lions working hard to head into half time with a slender lead. While Seymour dominated general play, they were unable to fully capitalise on the scoreboard. After half time the Lions put on the after burners, kicking five unanswered goals in the final term in an impressive win. Cooper Lubeck and Will Le Deux were dominant through the middle, while Tyler Clarke was prominent across the ground. Joel Brooks played his best game of the season, well supported by Joel Durham who worked tirelessly in the ruck. The Lions will face a tough test next week on the road against Echuca. Best: C Lubeck, W Le Deux, J Durham, T Clarke, J Brooks Goals: C Osmond 3, C Lubeck 2, O Munro 2, T Clarke 1, J Morgan 1, J Radford 1, R Gardner 1, F Rutherford 1 Seymour Club Seniors Seymour 7.3.45 def by Rochester 7.12.54 The Lions came out of the blocks slowly and faced a three goal deficit at quarter time. Seymour was able to steady the ship in the second term before kicking four goals straight in the third to leave the game all square at the final break. Unfortunately, in a scrappy final term Rochester kicked the only goal to emerge victorious by 9 points. Nathan Beattie racked up plenty of possessions in the middle of the ground with Seamus Feery continuing his strong run of form in the ruck. Nathan Fowler provided a target up forward all day while the defensive duo of Lucas Cavigan and Tom Jeffrey played crucial roles in repelling forward 50 entries and driving the ball forward. Best: N Beattie, N Fowler, S Feery, T Jeffrey, L Cavigan Goals: L Lubeck 2, N Fowler 2, J Murphy 1, R Schraven 1, J Wooster 1
June 15, 2025
Australian Trenching & Excavations UNDER 15s Seymour 40 def Rochester 37 The Under 15s have broken their duck in sensational fashion. A whole team effort consisting of patience, persistence, effort and pressure got the young Lions the win. We were a bit slow to start in the first quarter with Rochy getting the jump on us but we chipped away, getting vital turnovers and capitalising on our efforts, winning every quarter after the first. Issy Gordon was a fantastic addition to the team, providing options and drive with Charlotte Bradley providing both solid holds and movement in the goal circle. Eden Webster, along with the defensive end were relentless in putting pressure over the ball and getting tips and turnovers. There was amazing teamwork throughout, backing each other and having confidence in releasing the ball. The girls have been working so hard at training and behind the scenes. This win was a long way in the making but was so very well earned and deserved. Café 96 Award: Charlotte Bradley Trawool Shed - Cafe, Cottages & Restaurant UNDER 17s Seymour 30 def by Rochester 39 Taylah Mason had an outstanding game, bringing high intensity and creating numerous turnovers throughout the match. Paige Cooper was flawless in the Goal Keeper position, securing multiple rebounds and forcing key turnovers. Ella Zotti took command of the mid court, showing strong leadership. Her drive and precise passes into the goal circle were instrumental in setting up scoring opportunities. O’Sullivan Builders Award: Taylah Mason Inari Sushi Award: Paige Cooper O’SULLIVAN BUILDERS B RESERVE Seymour 41 def by Rochester 43 A close game that resulted in the B Reserves’ first loss of the season. Grace Barry was outstanding in giving her team opportunities. Chloe Locke went from end to end, sparking energy for the team. Whistle Award: Grace Barry Canteen Award: Chloe Locke Seymour Hardware Group B GRADE Seymour 55 def Rochester 39 We started strong, holding our space and dominating in defence. Lots of turnovers created plenty of opportunities for our shooters. Well done girls, keep up the great netball. Rooks Pizza Award: Eleisha Saunders Club Dinner Award: Shona Gesler Beer Auto Group Seymour A GRADE Seymour 80 def Rochester 38 The wall on Rochester’s centre pass created by Lucy Zotti, Bridie Cantwell and Casey Adamson stopped Rochester from receiving the centre pass. The ball movement and timing in the attacking end was spot on with Ally Black and Ellie Fuhrmeister shooting accurately. Ruby Martin and Bridie Cantwell were active in their movement in the defensive end. The whole team participated in creating a box and wall, causing Rochester to hold the ball and create turnovers. Lucy Zotti dominated in WD, creating multiple turnovers that led to goals.
By Mitch Itter June 7, 2025
Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 4.5.29 def by Benalla 11.11.77 Best: B McCarthy, H Sullivan, A Nash, H Murphy, B Harris Goals: B McCarthy 2, H Murphy 2 O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 22.7.139 def Benalla 3.2.20 The Lions came out of the blocks strongly putting six majors on the board in the first term. From there it was all smooth sailing across a strong four quarter performance. Curtis Powell dominated through the middle of the ground, picking up plenty of the footy and kicking some classy goals. Jack Radford backed up a bag of nine last week with another bag of nine. Cooper Lubeck put together a strong performance in his second game back with Max McLean putting his best foot forward. Jack Davey played a strong game after celebrating his 21 st birthday during the week while Joel Durham made his presence felt around the ground. Best: C Powell, M McLean, C Lubeck, J Davey, J Durham Goals: J Radford 9, C Powell 4, J Morgan 3, M McLean 2, C Lubeck 1, C Osmond 1, J Nai 1, W O’Sullivan 1 Seymour Club Seniors Seymour 14.6.90 def Benalla 7.14.56 The Lions were out to make amends after a poor showing at Mooroopna last weekend and managed to get themselves back on the winner’s list against Benalla. The first quarter was an even contest between both sides with Dylan Scopel standing out for his run and drive through the middle of the ground. In the second term, the Lions were able to obtain some breathing space in a five goal to one quarter. While Benalla had a chance to get back in the game, inaccurate kicking in front of goal was capitalised upon by the Lions who played a great final quarter in wet conditions. Jack Murphy and Nathan Beattie were ball magnets again, with Lachlan Beattie putting in a fantastic performance after missing last week through injury. Nathan Fowler provided a target up forward all day but yet again Rory Kennedy showed why he is a star of the future, booting three goals in another impactful game from the 16 year old. Best: J Murphy, D Scopel, N Beattie, N Fowler, L Beattie Goals: R Kennedy 3, N Fowler 2, L Lubeck 2, J Murphy 2, L Cavigan 1, D Giles 1, S House 1, W Le Deux 1, D Scopel 1
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