The former state league player signalled his intent to play Hampden league footy again on his return to Victoria and was weighing up whether to sign with the Seagulls or return to his previous club, South Warrnambool.

After a “hard” decision, he officially signed with Port Fairy on Friday.

“It was just obviously family (that decided it); just with dad playing here and all my aunties and uncles – I’ve still got a couple of cousins playing as well,” he said.

“The temptation to be part of the club that my whole family is still involved in was the main decider.”

Sully, who was named in defence in the NEAFL team of the year, said a move back to the HFNL had always been in the back of his mind.

The 24-year-old, who watched on from the crowd as the Seagulls played in their most recent grand final, hopes to play his part as they strive to break a premiership drought stretching back to 1958.

“I was out here watching when they made their last ‘granny’ in 2005. It was a very exciting game for the community and the club. Hopefully we can get back there next year,” he said.

Port Fairy club president Ashley King lauded Sully’s arrival as “a massive signing”.

“It’s important to see players like Matt coming back not at the end of their career, but to help develop their career and further support the club,” he said.

“It’s good to see a Sully back in the purple.”