AFL 2024: Inside the remarkable rise of round one Rising Star nominee Oliver Dempsey

Plucked from obscurity, Oliver Dempsey’s story pales in comparison to most Rising Star nominees. The Cat opens up on the moments that have shaped his dramatic ascent.

Oliver Dempsey celebrates one of his three goals. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Many Rising Star nominees are highly touted juniors and high draft picks that were on the radar for years.

Geelong forward Oliver Dempsey’s path to his barnstorming display against St Kilda, which earnt him the Rising Star nomination and put himself on the map as an AFL footballer, pales in comparison.

In 2021, the budding young junior basketballer decided to return to footy with Carey Grammar in the Associated Public Schools (APS) competition and for Old Carey’s under-19 side – his first season in three years.

That was purely to have run around with mates in his final year of school.

But that soon changed as several AFL clubs soon took notice of the exciting and athletic forward.

Oliver Dempsey is the round one Rising Star. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It was definitely weird the first call I got from my manager now Winston Rous. After playing three games at APS I was like ‘this is weird’,” Dempsey said.

“I was just playing for fun and I didn’t remotely think about AFL footy and then after that it sort of became a bit more serious and I spoke to Geelong, Melbourne was another club and a bit to Port Adelaide, but that was about it.”

“It was mainly Geelong and after the first two (draft) nights there was the rookie on the Friday and I definitely didn’t think I was going to get picked up and then happened to get the call from ‘Wellsy’ (Stephen Wells).”

Since then the draft smokey’s ascent has been as steep as his leap.

It took him just eight rounds in 2022 to make his AFL debut against North Melbourne down in Hobart, where he and his friends certainly caught the eye.

His mates brandishing ‘D-E-M-P-S-E-Y’ on their bare stomachs cheered on every one of his 16 disposals and celebrated his debut goal with gusto.

Ollie Dempsey has his first AFL goal on debut and the Cats (+ his mates) absolutely love it!#FootyOhWhatAFeeling | #AFLNorthCatspic.twitter.com/l9CSSrSTlH

— AFL (@AFL) April 24, 2022

Dempsey managed another five games in 2023, four of those as the substitute, but it was a breakout VFL season – where he was named in the VFL team of the year – and his impressive final round game against the Western Bulldogs that gave him extra belief.

“It felt like last year I really found my straps and being able to play consistently good footy at VFL level and just waiting for that opportunity,” Dempsey said.

“Obviously played the last round of the year when we couldn’t make finals and played some of the young boys and I felt really confident out there and that put me in a good spot to have a good off-season and a good pre-season and to be able to have that good, strong dozen games at VFL level was very good for my confidence.

“I think I did a lot of work with (development coach) Nigel Lappin last year with my contest work and getting confidence with it. Put on a bit of size as well and I think that clicked and went in with a bit of a different mindset saying, ‘I want to play, I want to be above VFL level and play like I should be in the AFL’, and that’s what I aimed to do last year and it felt like towards the end of the year I achieved that and I could be a guy in that team.”

Dempsey flies for a mark against the Bulldogs last year. Picture: Michael Klein

The 21-year-old took that frame of mind into the 2024 season and his upward tend continued, with a strong pre-season capped by two imposing practice games.

“I think going into the practice games I had a few good sessions and felt like I did belong and definitely those two practice games were when it started to feel real for me and feeling like ‘this is where I belong and I can do this at this level’,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey didn’t just belong against the Saints: he had arrived.

The livewire was arguably the best player on the ground to half time and had more telling moments in the second half, finishing with 15 disposals, three goals, three score assists and two contested marks.

His favourite personal highlight wasn’t the running goal with a baulk nor the flying pack mark. Instead, it was being the first player to kick a goal at the newly opened Joel Selwood Stand end.

Oliver Dempsey’s pre-season hanger against the Blues. Picture: Michael Klein

Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s history, lucky enough to be the first one to kick a goal at that end with the new stand and the five stages done so that was pretty cool after the game hearing that,” Dempsey said.

“It was really special, so much fun out there, especially playing the first game with the Joel Selwood Stand which was so sick and felt really confident out there. I’ve been working really hard in the pre-season and the off-season and I feel like I belong in the team so it felt really good to showcase that.”

After receiving Rising Star recognition, his next nomination might just be for mark of the week – already giving fans a glimpse of his hops during the pre-season with a hanger against Carlton.

“It is something that I came in with, one of my strengths I think. Hopefully I can muster up one in the real season but we’ll see,” Dempey said with a laugh.

“(The Rising Star nomination) is definitely pretty special, obviously going through two years of being in and out sort of thing and being able to get it in round one is pretty special to me and it is an honour to do it at such a great club as well.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Inside the remarkable rise of round one Rising Star nominee Oliver Dempsey