Lachie Sullivan’s SSP dream continues for another year after a season that proved exactly why depth matters in a premiership-contending list.
The hard-nosed midfielder — who earned his spot at the club through the SSP pathway after a long stint in the VFL — has committed to Collingwood for another 12 months, signing a one-year deal that keeps him in black and white for 2026.
Sullivan’s 2025 campaign was a tidy demonstration of reliability. He played 14 games across the year, offering the coaching staff a calm, contested presence through the middle and across stoppages when rotations or injuries required it. His disposal efficiency and willingness to do the dirty work underscored why Collingwood chose to lock him in for another season.
What makes Sullivan’s story appealing to supporters is its persistence. He wasn’t an instant top-ager handed a development plan; he carved his way into the AFL the hard way. That background gives him a resilience and team-first mentality that’s invaluable in a squad chasing sustained success. In a list where star power grabs headlines, players like Sullivan quietly steady the engine room — they don’t always make the highlight reels, but they make lineups resilient.
Tactically, Sullivan offers Collingwood flexibility. Comfortable as an inside midfielder, he can also drift forward to provide pressure and finish off chains created by the club’s more creative ball-winners. His role this season often involved absorbing defensive attention to free up teammates, or stepping into the clearances battle when the game turned physical. That capability to slot into different match-ups is exactly why one-year re-commits like Sullivan are important to a finals-calibre side: they extend the depth chart without sacrificing adaptability.
The one-year extension is sensible for both parties. For Collingwood, it secures a trusted depth option while keeping list flexibility during an offseason where trade and draft windows will demand measured decisions. For Sullivan, another season in the AFL environment is another chance to build on his game — more midfield minutes, more opportunity to stake a claim for consistent selection, and another year to show he can be more than a stop-gap when the perfect blend of form and fitness lines up.
Supporters on social channels reacted positively to the news, with many pointing out that while Sullivan might not be a guaranteed top-22 pick every week, his presence is critical when injuries bite or matchup needs change. Fans praised his effort, toughness and the culture-fit he brings to Craig McRae’s program — the sort of traits that help sustain a team through the grind of a long season.
Looking ahead, Sullivan’s immediate objectives are clear: maintain fitness, sharpen his stoppage craft, and seize the moments he gets at AFL level. If he can nudge his averages up and show he’s a consistent 90–100% readiness option, he’ll not only justify Collingwood’s decision but also strengthen his bargaining position for beyond 2026.
In short, this re-signing is a low-risk, high-value move. It keeps a proven contributor at the club, protects list depth, and rewards a player whose journey from state league persistence to reliable AFL performer is exactly the kind of narrative clubs love — and fans connect with. Sullivan’s SSP dream has another chapter to write; for Collingwood, it’s another steady pair of hands in a season where every bit of depth could matter.
Sources: Collingwood FC announcement; AFL player and stats databases; season coverage and commentary.
