Pies recruit earns shock call up weeks after selection
Collingwood has confirmed midfielder Lachie Sullivan, who has been on their list for just 10 weeks, will debut against Carlton on Friday night.
Sullivan’s selection comes after two key Magpies were forced out of the side.
Jordan De Goey will miss the match due to concerning groin issues, while Tom Mitchell is sidelined with a plantar fasciitis flare up.
It means 26-year-old Sullivan gets his chance, after impressing quickly when he was signed in the pre season as a mature-aged rookie.
Sullivan becomes the second AFL player this season to debut after turning 26.
Sullivan will replace Tom Mitchell in the lineup.
He follows Geelong small forward Shaun Mannagh, who debuted in round one for the Cats against the Saints.
O’Sullivan was picked up from the Western Bulldogs VFL side, where he won the 2022 and 2023 best and fairest awards.
And it’s a debut that many dream of.
His Pies take on rivals Carlton at the MCG in a Friday night blockbuster, which is expecting to see more than 90,000 pack the stadium.
The moment Lachie Sullivan found out he’ll become Collingwood V/AFL player 1187 🤩 pic.twitter.com/qSuMDNIs71
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 1, 2024
Collingwood coach Craig McRae heaped praise on the inside midfielder, noting that the big stage is the perfect place for him to debut.
“Lachie’s had four or five drafts he’s missed out on, and he comes in as a young lad that’s hungry,” McRae told reporters on Wednesday.
“He was VFL best and fairest at the Bulldogs last year, a really quality player at that level, and he hasn’t missed a beat since he’s been here.
Sullivan will debut against Carlton.
“We’ve had him close as an emergency a few weeks now.”
Meantime, McRae explained where De Goey is at with his injury.
“Jordy won’t play. He’s got tight groins, so we’re just going to sort of back him off a little bit, hopefully get those things settled down,” he said.
“This is the unknown, we’re not sure how long (his recovery) will be, the reality is it’s come on reasonably quickly.
“My expertise, which is none … the things I’ve been told is if it comes on quickly, it may go away quickly, we’ll have to wait and see.”
The Pies sit 10th on the ladder, with three wins and a draw under their belt.