ONE of Koroit's brightest prospects is relishing the chance to pull on Saints colours with his two younger brothers.
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Jack O'Sullivan, 21, is looming as one of the Victoria Park-based club's senior players in the upcoming under 23 Let's Talk Cup.
O'Sullivan will play alongside siblings Paddy and Finn in Friday night's tournament opener against South Warrnambool at Deakin University's The Pond on Friday night.
The tournament, launched in October, will work in partnership with Let's Talk to promote the foundation's message to encourage those battling mental illness to seek support.
It will also give young players the opportunity to hit the field after two coronavirus-interrupted seasons.
I'm really looking forward to playing with them as Finn is going to Melbourne in January for boarding school.
- Jack O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan, who featured in 12 senior games for the Saints in 2021, said he was relishing the chance to line up with family.
"I'm really looking forward to playing with them as Finn is going to Melbourne in January for boarding school," O'Sullivan said.
"I love playing with Paddy as well but he isn't going anywhere as he has an apprenticeship in Warrnambool.
"It'll be bloody awesome to play with them two. Otherwise just playing in general will be great. It's just in my competitive nature to always play sport and to always try my best."
O'Sullivan said the Friday night timeslot worked perfectly in his hectic summer schedule.
"I was really hoping for Friday night games," he said.
"Otherwise I would've had to juggle it on a Saturday with cricket so I was rapt when they booked it in for Friday. This time of year is always tough to juggle things so it's good to get on with it like this.
"I'm always busier in summer because footy is such a more physically demanding sport, fitness-wise. You've still got to be training two or three nights a week with all your extras through the summer to stay fit.
"The whole week is pretty full in cricket season."
O'Sullivan said he was excited at the chance to learn from under 23 co-coaches Ben Goodall and Simon 'Tocka' O'Keefe after a season playing under multiple premiership coach Chris McLaren in the Saints' senior side.
"I've grown up at Koroit so those blokes were like rockstars to me," he told The Standard.
THE FIXTURE:
Friday 12th November
Game 1: Koroit V South Warrnambool
Game 2: Terang V Warrnambool
Game 3: Portland V North Warrnambool
Friday 19th November
Game 1: Terang V North Warrnambool
Game 2: Warrnambool V South Warrnambool
Game 3: Koroit V Portland
Friday 26th November
Game 1: Terang V South Warrnambool
Game 2: Portland V Warrnambool
Game 3: Koroit V North Warrnambool
Friday 3rd December
Game 1: 5 V 6
Game 2: 1 v 4
Game 3: 2 v 3
Friday 10th December: Grand Final
"Chris as well - but these blokes have been my idols my whole life and to be able to play under them is great.
"They're good, down-to-earth fellas as well."
Koroit, which operates one of the Hampden league's most esteemed junior development programs, is a likely contender for the Let's Talk Cup.
North Warrnambool Eagles and South Warrnambool will also press for the top honour while Terang Mortlake, Portland and Warrnambool will also field teams.
Three games will take place each Friday night. Entry is $5 per person with proceeds going back to the clubs.
There will be four rounds with a grand final to take place on December 10.
John Parkinson from Let's Talk will also address teams before matches to empower any players or volunteers to feel supported to open up about mental health and seek support if required.
Clinton Baulch Motor Group and Rafferty's Tavern are the major sponsors.
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