AT JUST 15, Tyler Sullivan lives and breathes football, so it is no surprise he is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the lower grades.
Capping off an impressive season in the Harold Matthew’s Cup, the talented halfback has also accomplished the major goal of playing representative football.
Sullivan was selected in the Under 16’s New South Wales representative side and played the curtain raiser for Origin 1 at ANZ Stadium.
He played a pivotal role in helping the Blues recover from a halftime deficit, to win by 14 points.
It was quite an experience for the ‘country boy’ to play on one of Rugby League’s biggest stages.
He says pulling on the Blue jersey was a definite highlight of his short but promising
career.
“It was really exciting - It’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen,” Sullivan said.
Representing his State was the perfect icing on the cake after this year’s football season, as Sullivan proved to be an invaluable member of the Knights’ Harold Matthew’s side.
Although the season came to an end when the Knights were bundled out the finals, his stats paint an impressive picture of his first year with the Knights.
Sullivan finished up with 142 points, including eight tries and 55 goals over the 12 round competition, making him the Knights highest point scorer.
He also achieved a conversion success rate of 95 per cent.
A Scone junior, Sullivan said the Knights training schedule has been the biggest change since he arrived in Newcastle.
“Yeah it’s pretty full on, it’s a lot better,” he said.
He admits, unlike most boys of his age, he struggles to find time for anything outside school and football.
“Footy’s about it - there’s not much else you can really do, just worry about that,” Sullivan said.
Adding to his big year, Sullivan even moved out of home to pursue his football career.
Moving from Scone to Newcastle in January, he had to learn how to cope without his
family by his side.
“Yeah it’s a bit different [living away from home], but Newcastle’s a bit different to Scone so I’m enjoying it too,” he said
His family travel everywhere to support the 15 year-old, and Sullivan credits his interest in rugby league to his dad and older brother, who introduced him to the game at the age of six.
And if her impeccable attendance record is anything to go by, Sullivan’s mother is his
biggest fan.
“My Mum only missed one game and that was in Canberra,” Sullivan said.
Now that the 2008 season is over Sullivan is setting his sights on the SG Ball trials later this year, with hopes of one day making the top grade.
“Definitely make NRL, yeah that’s probably my main goal.”
