Chris O'Sullivan

Match-winning pivot started his premiership career during Canberra’s debut year in the NSWRL and was on hand at the end of the decade to play his role in the Raider’s grand final success. O’Sullivan was playing first grade as a 17-year-old with East Canberra before joining Lakes United in the Newcastle competition. He trialled with Cronulla in 1981 but was unfortunately suspended whilst playing in a trial match and missed being graded with the Sharks. A rugged competitor and a tenacious defender, he came to Canberra in 1982 and although he started the season in reserve grade he finished the year as the Raiders’ leading try-scorer (11t). A member of the Raiders team that went down to Manly in the 1987 grand final he showed his quick thinking when he feigned injury close to the line before miraculously springing to his feet to back up and score the Raiders’ only try in the match. In the titanic 1989 grand final against Balmain O’Sullivan potted the vital field-goal that gave the Raiders a 15-14 lead in extra-time. The following year he was a member of the Canberra team that narrowly defeated Penrith in the premiership decider. O’Sullivan left the Raiders to play a season with English club Warrington but returned to the club for a brief cameo during the troubled 1992 season.