Geelong star Ollie Dempsey has rejuvenated the Cats this season

A young Geelong star says a background in basketball has blessed him with hot hands as he becomes a strong favourite for the Rising Star.

Ollie Dempsey has quickly become a fan favourite of Cats fans. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

It was during those tense moments before the first bounce against the Bombers in Round 16 in probably the most important game of the Cats’ season so far.

Coming off one win from their last six games, and tackling a then top four opponent, the significance of that match was written all over the face of a stern looking skipper, Patrick Dangerfield, as he lead his team up the race.

However, striding shoulder to shoulder to his right was a smiling rookie in Ollie Dempsey with the impish look of an Auskicker who was about to step onto the MCG for the first time.

Pressure? What pressure?

Perhaps taking his cues from a few Collingwood rivals during their premiership season of last year, Dempsey has the same attitude to his footy as he does life: tackle it all with a smile.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield and Ollie Dempsey walk up the race before their Round 16 game against the Bombers. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

“I do pinch myself a bit (about playing AFL) but I just love life, I’m loving my time down at Geelong and I like to bring that positive attitude to the team, it lifts the team up a bit as well,” Dempsey said.

“Patty’s a big one for me, saying how infectious it can be for the team.

“I just double down on it I guess, even if we’re going bad, just going out smiling and having fun.

“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to play footy and be in this job, I’m just loving life really.”

Mind you, there’s been plenty to be chipper about.

Dempsey has been the find of the season, playing all 20 games to become a red-hot Rising Star fancy and even senior coach Chris Scott has been surprised by his development.

A former junior basketballer, Dempsey has drawn on his hot hand ability in certain situations, like the Cats’ last match against North Melbourne in Hobart in another must-win fixture.

Dempsey celebrates a goal with Shaun Mannagh against North Melbourne. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

On Saturday, he stripped Roos defender Aidan Corr of the ball on the goal line to kick the Cats’ first.

“It could be a bit ... it was just a bit of instinct in the moment,” Dempsey said when asked if he relied on some of his hoops IQ.

“He sort of just handed me the ball, I just knocked it out, it was a bit like a basketball bounce, which was funny.”

Dempsey has become one of the best in the league for making something out of nothing, producing a brilliant volley in the goal square in the second quarter.

It resembled his effort in the wet that night against the Bombers.

In those situations, deep in attack, Dempsey says he always makes a point to “not give up on the play”.

“Anything can really happen until it’s over obviously, until it’s out of bounds or through for a point,” he said.

“Just play until the ball’s dead.

Dempsey with young fan Ollie De Stefano. Picture: Brad Fleet

“I play a bit on instinct and just again ... just having a bit of fun, enjoying my footy.

“I’m blessed to get on the back of a few.”

Just as importantly, the Cats bounced back from a horror game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 19, going down by 47 points in arguably their worst display for the year.

“The ground being so muddy ... conditions were terrible, it’s not an excuse obviously, but moving on from that one and the Doggies were better on the day,” he said.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to play, personally as well. It was just a tough game for all.

“We went in with the mindset to forget about last week, it’s a once-off. We didn’t dwell on it.

“We knew if we kept playing our system we’d run over the top (of North).”

Seen by some as the ageing Cats who are inching towards an inevitable fall, Dempsey has been exhibit A in the rejuvenation of the senior side.

Dempsey kicked three goals against North Melbourne and also saved one with hit hot hands. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

However, the buoyant 21-year-old points to assistants Steven King, James Rahilly and Nigel Lappin in particular as been crucial in his rise.

Rewind to pre-season, the part time commerce student had set a goal of playing regular senior footy but was far from certain it would happen.

“Looking at it during the pre-season I thought it would be tough to get a gig regularly,” he said.

“Looking back, it is a bit of a shock to be honest.

“(Lappin’s) always been there and always texts me pre-game with a bit of advice.

“During the week he’s still helping me with a heap of things, and even outside of footy.

“I owe him a lot, for sure.”

The Torquay-based winger is keen to leave the talk about a possible Rising Star win to others.

“I do see some things (in the media) and my friends send me some stuff, I just try to focus on my footy and the team,” he said.

Dempsey says young defender Lawson Humphries has brought great energy to the Cats. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“Whatever comes off the back of it comes off the back of it, it would be an honour to win and award like that.

“The ultimate goal is to win a premiership.”

Dempsey has been a breath of fresh air for the Cats this year, as has young defender Lawson Humphries, and the pair are tight.

The Western Australian has taken to the level with aplomb in just four games, exhibiting a poise usually reserved for a veteran.

“He’s a good man ‘Laws’, he’s been super for us,” he said.

“So cool and composed under pressure. He’s a very relaxed guy and you can see that on the field.

“Excited to play with him for 10+ years to come.”

Originally published as Geelong star Ollie Dempsey has rejuvenated the Cats this season