- Billy Sullivan’s death has left three Aussie Rules teams devastated
- It was a big part of a club’s run to the premiership last year.
- If you need help, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Three Victorian football clubs are in shock after the death of popular young player Billy Sullivan on Tuesday.
Sullivan, described as “the life of the party”, played for Melton, Melton South and Darley in the Ballarat Football League, where he earned a reputation as a great teammate, a tough coach and a tough competitor.
He played primarily for Melton South but transferred to Darley in 2023 and sadly missed last season’s premiership after injuring his shoulder.
Melton coach Troy Scoble praised his late star when the news broke.
“He was one of the loveliest, nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Scoble told the Ballarat Courier.
The shocking death of Billy Sullivan (pictured) has left players, staff and fans at three Aussie Rules clubs absolutely devastated.
The talented footballer played a big role in Darley’s run to first place in the Ballarat League last year but missed the grand final due to injury.
“He was a great teammate, he gave everything in training, everything on the field and, to be honest, he gave everything he could off the field as well.”
“He was one of those, I guess you would say, culture builders. He joined our group, made such a significant contribution in such a short time.
“That is in the football sense, but in the personal sense, I have had a strong relationship with the family for more than 15 years, they are all equal, quality people, quality characters and this is going to affect everyone very hard because Lo loved very much.’
Melton South, where Sullivan played his junior football, paid tribute with a heartbreaking statement.
‘It wasn’t just on the field where Billy was loved. “Off the field, with his infectious smile and cheeky sense of humor, he was always fun to be around,” the statement read.
‘People were better off for having Billy in their lives.
Melton coach Troy Scoble described Sullivan (pictured left) as “one of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet.”
Darley coach Dan Jordan recalled an astonishing prediction Sullivan made at the team’s season launch last year.
“Our club was poorer when Billy decided to leave and it is even poorer today knowing that we will never see his smiling face again.
“Billy, we will all miss you and in the lyrics of our song, ‘shake the thunder from the sky’ because we have no doubt that you are looking out for us all.”
Darley coach Dan Jordan also praised the player, praising his toughness and ability to “show our younger guys how to play.”
“One thing I do remember and I was laughing a little about it last night, there was a moment in our season launch where there was some internal fixing, it was mentioned ‘in the ninth round when we say goodbye and we’ll be nine minutes away’ and I thought, ‘Let’s tone down the expectations here,'” Jordan said.
‘Billy stood up and said, “No, we’ll win the flag this year.” I asked him, “Why, Bill?” His response was, “Because you have Sullivan.”
‘I remembered that last night I was right, we were right, we won the flag. It’s a shame he wasn’t present that day.