Geelong forward Oli Wiltshire reflects on whirlwind rise since being drafted out of country footy
Oli Wiltshire shot into the draft frame with a 12 goal haul in country footy. In his first two AFL games, he played in front of 150,000 fans. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Barwon Heads bolter.
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Country footy sensation Oli Wiltshire’s first two games of his career underline how far he has in the past 18 months.
The Geelong small forward made his debut at the MCG against Carlton in round seven – almost two years to the day since his stunning 12-goal haul for Barwon Heads that saw him shoot into AFL Draft calculation from obscurity.
Last Saturday night, the boy from Barwon Heads notched his first AFL win in, coming on as the sub and kicking an important first goal in the third term – and a celebration that was all a blur.
“I can’t really remember, to be honest, it all happened so quick. I think I just gave the double cobra to the crowd,” Wiltshire told this masthead with a laugh moments after the win.
“I had a paddock. ‘OD’ (Ollie Dempsey) checksided it, I was a bit shaky getting the ground ball, but lucky enough to take it cleanly and dribble it through, no better feeling.”
Those two blockbusters drew 150,000 fans – a far cry from Barwon Heads’ Howard Harmer Oval.
“It’s a feeling I didn’t think I’d be able to grab and I’m so lost for words right now,” Wiltshire said.
“It’s so good to grab it with the boys, I’ve been a Cats man my whole life and to get a win and run out on the ‘G in such a close win like that, I’m over the moon.
“Last week I was pretty nervous to be honest, first game, wanting to perform well. (Against Collingwood) I was a bit more level headed, knew what I was in for.
“Playing here last week as well really helped. And to play all right, come out with a win, kick a snag, I was so happy with that and get a win with the boys.”
Wiltshire recalls the moment he was told by Geelong three-time premiership great Matthew Scarlett – his assistant coach and mentor at Barwon Heads – that his AFL dream was still alive.
Months later, his hometown club took him with pick 61 of the 2023 AFL Draft straight out of the Bellarine league.
It’s not even the strongest local competition in Geelong, although followers will tell you the gap is closing.
“Might have been halfway through the year he said, ‘What are you doing next year? Are you keen to play some AFL footy?’, and I kind of fell back in my chair, and didn’t really know what he meant,” Wiltshire said.
“And then it’s gone so quick, and now I’m here. Win with the boys, MCG, can’t ask for anything better.”
Having his named called in national draft meant the wirey and lively forward had a two-year contract to prove himself.
However, as 2023 pick-ups Shaun Mannagh and Lawson Humphries emerged as draft gems in their first seasons, Wiltshire was restricted to just seven VFL games as he dealt with osteitis pubis.
The strength and conditioning built him up through the pre-season and Wiltshire went to work, strengthening his legs, lower body and core.
“I think I put on six or seven kilos in the last 18 months and that’s helped so much,” Wiltshire said.
“It’s helped so much driving out of stoppages and just being able to wrestle with my opponent.”
The big pre-season worked wonders as Wiltshire turned heads in their practice games and the first month of the VFL season.
The array of highlights resembled his work in the Bellarine: long bombs, streaming running goals and clever snaps.
And sure enough, another Barwon Heads connection was there to help him at Geelong VFL, forwards coach Mitch Herbison.
“He was my coach at Barwon Heads, and now he’s the VFL forward line coach. He’s been great in helping me progress and he’s been awesome,” Wiltshire said.
The 180 centimetre goalsneak’s spot in the Cats line-up isn’t guarantee, but he has already shown enough in his second season to earn a new deal – whether that is at Geelong or elsewhere.
Wiltshire said the focus will be on continuing to build his body for the rigours of AFL season.
“It’s just not worrying about the contract side of stuff, just focusing on my body, stringing the whole season together – last year I didn’t really do that,” Wiltshire said.
“And giving myself every opportunity to play in this side and impact every week.”
“I don’t know, I feel like I’m pretty relaxed, pretty cruisy bloke. Don’t really let anything gets to my head, pretty good at blocking out the noise.”
Wiltshire feels the love from the Geelong and Barwon Heads community, but the salt of the earth youngster is mindful of staying grounded.
“I try not to let it get to me, obviously. You can’t let it get to your head in these type of big games, but the support’s been elite,” Wiltshire said.
Wiltshire is still pinching himself after his meteoric rise, and he is forever indebted to Barwon Heads Football Netball Club.
“The journey’s gone so well for me. Playing down at Barwon Heads for a couple years after NAB league and just enjoyed playing with my mates down there, it’s such a good community, I can’t thank the Barwon Heads community enough,” Wiltshire said.
“All my family, my good group of mates down in Barwon Heads, all the Barwon Heads, players coaches put their faith in me to play how I wanted to play football when I was there.”
Originally published as Geelong forward Oli Wiltshire reflects on whirlwind rise since being drafted out of country footy
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