AFL Draft 2023: Geelong draftee Connor O’Sullivan on teammate Phoenix Gothard’s surprise pick as Cats explain live trade

Connor O’Sullivan was starstruck and then left stunned when his mate was unexpectedly taken on the first night. Plus, Geelong explains the live trade with Essendon. Watch the video.

Connor O'Sullivan is now a Cat. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong has pulled a draft shock with its first pick, bolstering its draft hand and landing key defender Connor O’Sullivan after pulling the trigger on a live trade with Essendon.

The Cats kept their fans waiting, first bidding on Suns Academy ruckman Ethan Read with their initial pick which was duely matched by Gold Coast.

The Bombers then came calling, offering up pick 31 and 11 to move up one place and secure Northern Knights key forward Nate Caddy.

Geelong eventually took O’Sullivan, an All-Australian key defender for the Allies at the national championships who stands 198cm tall.

Connor O'Sullivan is handed the No.14 by Joel Selwood. Picture: Getty Images

The Albury product is capable of playing up forward and even lined up as a midfielder in a Murray Bushrangers practice match earlier in the year.

O’Sullivan said he was left stunned by the live trade that he didn’t see he was coming and was left starstruck having the No.14 handed to him by Geelong champion Joel Selwood.

The rollercoaster of emotions continued when the group of mates on his table roared again as his Bushrangers teammate Phoenix Gothard – who was a guest of O’Sullivan on night one - was a surprise selection to the GWS Giants with the next pick.

“That eight to 12 range was where my management team thought I would land but with those picks I had no clue (about the live trade),” O’Sullivan said.

“I was just twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the moment I suppose.

“(My mates) said before it that they had to be the ones with the biggest reaction so it was pretty loud and obviously when Phoenix went as well I think that was the highlight, biggest celebration of the night.

“It was honestly ridiculous to be honest, the emotions. My heart was racing the whole time, standing up on the stage shaking Joel Selwood’s hand but talking to him for about 30 seconds and then you hear Phoenix in the same room that just yelled my name screaming his so I thought ‘I better get over there.’”

Esteemed Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells said that the second-round sweetener from the Bombers was too good to pass up, but said the deal may not have happened if the order went another way.

While Wells was impressed with O’Sullivan’s work as a key defender at the championships in particular, he believes he also has the potential to become a forward at the next level.

Connor O'Sullivan has an impressive draft year. Picture: Getty Images

“The Bombes contacted us with the thought of maybe getting up a spot. We thought long and hard about not doing it but that pick 31 we secured in that trade was important to us and we think can help us tomorrow night.

“If the draft had gone a different way we mightn’t have done the trade and we had options when it came to our scheduled pick.

“That crucial pick early tomorrow night made the difference of whether we kept it or traded it.

“Connor had a terrific year with the Murray Bushrangers and the Allies. A good young man who has been a really good developer this year.

“Connor played mainly as a key defender this year and certainly his outstanding performances with the Allies were in defence.

“But we think he is pretty versatile, he has a chance to be a forward as well as playing some mid over the last 12 months or so. When the opportunity came to pick Connor we were very happy.

O’Sullivan, who possesses elite endurance, vice-like hands overhead and averaged 17.8 disposals, 8.3 marks and 6.8 intercepts at the national championships, is eyeing a round one spot in Geelong’s round that lost key defender Esava Ratugolea during the trade period.

“I definitely do want to make that a goal of mine to play round 1 next year.

“Obviously I’ll do my best throughout the pre-season to give myself the best opportunity to do that but at the end of the day it’s up to the coaches.

“I know they are loud and they are big supporters. I was there at the 2022 grand final for U17 futures match and they pantsed the Swans and the crowds didn’t get quieter everytime they kicked a goal so I know they are passionate.”

The Cats will have two second-round picks and several later selections on night two.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Geelong draftee Connor O’Sullivan on teammate Phoenix Gothard’s surprise pick as Cats explain live trade