Magpies sign VFL star, ex-Saints mid, former Bombers tall

Collingwood has filled three vacant list spots via the pre-season supplementary selection period

VFL Star Following strong pre-season supplemental period (SSP) trials, Lachie

Sullivan, former Essendon tall Josh Eyre,

and delisted St Kilda midfielder Jack

Bytel have all earned positions on Collingwood’s rookie list.

 

The three was told on Thursday that they have been added to the Magpies’ squad

for their premiership defence. The trio was one of six players asked to tryout

with the reigning premier over the summer.

 

Sullivan, 26, was invited to practice with the Magpies in December after being

passed over for the AFL and Rookie Drafts despite having another excellent

season for Footscray. His original interest in the VFL program came from

Collingwood, but after he quickly became a valuable member of Craig

McRae’s team and made an impression during the match simulation block in

January, the The inside midfielder’s outstanding performance in an intra-

club on Wednesday night solidified his place on the senior list.

One of the top players at the AIA Centre, Sullivan

played alongside Fin Macrae

and Jordan De Goey. He was notified of the club’s decision during a meeting on Thursday morning.

 

Before sustaining a second hamstring injury last week, Eyre looked well-

positioned to sign a deal; nonetheless, the Pies have rewarded the towering defender following a solid trial.

 

The 21-year-old is anticipated to miss 12 weeks of time following surgery on

Wednesday to repair his ruptured hamstring tendon.

 

Eyre trained with St Kilda during the previous Super League season, but was

unable to sign a contract due to a major hamstring

injury he sustained months

after the Bombers delisted him without him playing a senior match.

Despite signing with Collingwood’s VFL team in March, he was injured and didn’t play until round 10. Josh Fraser

supervised the Calder Cannons product, who displayed his skill in nine VFL

games for the Magpies reserves, mostly as a crucial defender.

 

Despite his past history of injuries, it is believed that Collingwood sees him as a long-term alternative.

 

Bytel, who played 22 games over five years at RSEA Park before being delisted

by the Saints at the end of the previous season, has also won a second chance.

 

Brynn Teakle, a former ruckman for Port Adelaide, Sam Sofronidis, a VAFA

standout, and Campbell Hustwaite, a Collingwood VFL captain, had also been

on trial with the Pies during the preseason.

The 26-year-old Sullivan’s deal is merely compensation for his repeated near-misses at the AFL level and inability to

make a breakthrough. He was passed over for the senior list by the Western

Bulldogs last season, and Essendon showed interest in the 2022 Mid-Season

Rookie Draft, but was disqualified for not filing in time.

 

In 2023, he had again another incredible VFL season, taking home the Coaches

MVP Award and tying for third place in the J.J. Liston Trophy with an average of

30.9 disposals, 7.6 clearances, and 5.9 tackles in 20 games.

 

The St. Kevin’s College graduate won his second consecutive Footscray best and

fairest award in addition to being chosen captain of the VFL Team of the Year.

Due to Oleg Markov’s incredible success last year—he was signed by the Magpies during the SSP and went on to play a

major part in the team’s premiership victory—the summer signing window is

being closely watched this year as teams try to find another diamond in the rough.

 

Last year, after being selected during the SSP, St Kilda’s Anthony Caminiti and

Liam Stocker, along with Brisbane’s Conor McKenna and Carlton’s Alex Cincotta, also participated in the Finals.

 

On Thursday, former Essendon forward Patrick Voss also received a lifeline from

the AFL after defeating Woodville-West Torrens small forward Max Beattie,

Claremont key forward Sam van Rooyen (the brother of Demons star Jacob), and

former Saint Dan McKenzie to secure a berth at Fremantle.

 

East Perth After training with Richmond during the summer, forward Mitch Schofield and New Zealander Mykelti

Lefau may be added to the Tigers’ roster before Monday’s deadline.

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