Sullivan, a forward, captained Hawthorn at Under 19s level.[2] He made his only senior appearance for Hawthorn in 1986, a premiership year.[3] The St Kevins recruit played in Hawthorn's three point win over North Melbourne at the MCG in round two.[3] He played five games for Essendon the following year, all in the second half of the season, then appeared in the first five rounds in 1988.[3] In March 1989, just before the beginning of the season, Sullivan lost his place on the Essendon list,[4] and he signed for VFA club Camberwell.[5]