Geelong young gun Oliver Dempsey on his rise as he bolts into Rising Star frame

Ollie Dempsey and George Wardlaw are the two favourites for the Rising Star, and their journeys to the big time couldn’t be more different. The young Cat reflects on his steep rise.

Geelong youngster Ollie Dempsey started the pre-season as a fringe player looking to make is way into the Cats side.

Six months later he is one of Geelong’s most important players and is coming like a bullet for the Rising Star.

Dempsey has shortened to $3.50 with the TAB to take out the coveted award behind manic North Melbourne midfielder George Wardlaw at $2.25.

While Wardlaw missed the last two matches with concussion, Dempsey has strengthened his Rising Star claims, winning best-on-ground honours in their win over Essendon and collecting another 23 disposals against Hawthorn.

The dynamic 21-year-old made an eye-catching start to the season as a small forward but has gone to another level as a wingman, averaging 22.8 disposals, 5.4 score involvements and two score assists in his last five matches.

According to Champion Data’s AFL Player Ratings he is the third-rated mid-forward in the competition and the fourth rated overall player at the Cats.

Ollie Dempsey is right in the mix for the Rising Star. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“You would want to win that but it’s not something that’s at the top of my priority and it’s really just winning (games) to be honest and whatever comes off it, comes off it really,” Dempsey said.

“I’m glad everyone’s backing me in at the club and I haven’t been reading too much about that stuff, but I’m just sort of letting my footy do the talking at the minute and I’m just enjoying it.”

A poster child for taking raw talent at the draft, Dempsey’s journey pales in comparison to Rising Star favourite Wardlaw.

While Wardlaw was the highly-touted fourth pick of the 2022 draft, Dempsey was a former basketballer and volleyball player who was taken with pick 15 in the 2021 rookie draft.

Some eye-catching form in a handful of games for Carey Grammar at APS level was enough for the Cats to take the punt on him.

Dempsey has repaid them in spades, with his rise is even more remarkable given it is just his third full season of football since under-15s.

“I feel like I play with that bit of an edge, obviously being a rookie pick and coming from basketball so I still have a lot of improvement to go. Certainly pretty raw in football, which sounds weird to say but only in my third proper year of it in a while,” Dempsey said.

“I had a big off-season working hard on my running and my body and getting it right for the full season because obviously we know it’s a long season and just sort of sticking to what I’ve done in the last couple of years and working hard.

“I put on a bit size and that helped and I’m just sort of getting confidence every week and happy with the opportunity the coaches have given me and the trust they have in me.”

It may sound simple, but having fun has been one of the keys for Dempsey in the high pressure environment in the AFL.

His enjoyment of every moment out on the footy field is clear to see.

Dempsey said small forwards Gryan Miers and Brad Close, and versatile veteran Mark Blicavs have also helped mould him into the player he has become.

“I love just smiling and having fun with the team and there’s not much more fun than playing footy on the weekend,” Dempsey said.

“I am blessed to even have that opportunity and that’s my job, so I just look at it that way and just love doing it. I really love going to training and then having fun with the boys. It’s been really good and I try to hopefully keep myself young by just having fun and smiling.”

Dempsey was in the headlines for a different reason last week after being at the centre of Jye Menzie’s contentious rushed behind.

Oliver Dempsey appeals for the deliberate rushed behind free that was paid. Picture: Michael Klein

His half chase of Menzie was replayed ad nauseam rather than his highlights from his best-on-ground effort.

“I sort of got a bit of media through the week,” Dempsey chuckled.

“I just sort of knew he was going to do that and I may as well not pressure him into taking the kick outside. I knew that he was going do that and just sort of hope that the umpire would see he was trying to rush it.”

That’s just one example of Dempsey’s footy IQ which, like his standing, is growing by the game.

Originally published as Geelong young gun Oliver Dempsey on his rise as he bolts into Rising Star frame