Geelong sensation Ollie Dempsey on his friendship with Gary Ablett Jnr and his Christian faith
Ollie Dempsey could have only dreamed about Gary Ablett Jnr being his mentor several years ago. Now the former superstar is one of his best friends. He opens up on their growing friendship and his faith.
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Ollie Dempsey pinches himself calling Gary Ablett Jnr one of his best mates.
As Dempsey’s dedication to his Christian faith grew last year on the way to a Rising Star award, so did an unlikely bond between the Cats sensation and the Geelong legend.
The exciting wingman/forward has been religious since he was a child but his devotion had waned in his early years at the Cats.
That all changed when Dempsey connected with Ablett in 2024 and joined his church, OneHope Baptist Church in the Geelong suburb of Barrabool, a religious community Dempsey has become immersed in.
Ablett and Dempsey’s friendship has blossomed just like Dempsey on-field ever since with the pair doing everything together — something he couldn’t have dreamt of when he was having a kick for fun with Carey Grammar in 2021.
“He’s one of my best mates now, which is so weird to think back to the last few years,” Dempsey told this masthead with a laugh.
“But I spend time with him very regularly, we go for coffees in the morning, and look at the sunset, and regular dinners, and catch up, and at church every week.
“So he’s been so good for me, and I definitely love the bond that I’ve been able to have with him, and definitely learning and growing with it. And he’s been so good for my growth.”
Being able to pick the brain of the Little Master would be a privilege for any young and ambitious footballer with 357 games and a shopping list of personal accolades to his name – headlined by two Brownlow Medals.
But their connection has been a godsend of a different kind.
Dempsey admires Ablett’s values and beliefs much more than his incredible feats on the footy field, with his guidance helping him through his everyday life.
The 22-year-old was recently baptised at OneHope Baptist Church and in his speech he recognised Ablett along with Nathan and Bridie Spicer – a staff member at the church – and their three children, who have become a second family to him since late last year.
“(My chats with Gary are) more just about life, and that’s the best thing,” Dempsey said.
“He’s a good footballer, but man, he’s a better human – which is crazy to say, because he’s the best player to ever play the game.
“He’s such a weapon, and it’s more just about life and going through that. I know that I can ask him about footy stuff whenever I need, but it’s been really good.
“Just the way he lives his life and a lot of the lessons I’ve learnt from him has been great.”
Ablett famously thanked God during his 2013 Brownlow Medal speech and Dempsey did the same after his Rising Star win.
Having kept his beliefs more tight-lipped to that point, the connection between him and his teammates has grown since the speech and sparked important chats.
“I feel like everyone’s exploring, no matter where you are. But it’s opened up a lot of conversations and stuff like that, which has been great,” Dempsey said.
“I’ll keep all that private, but it’s been good for me, and for my teammates to get around me, it’s been really good.”
Dempsey’s enthusiasm out on the field – and even in the changerooms post-game as kids flock to him – is infectious, and he constantly comes back to his faith during a game.
Before each match, the high-flyer writes Bible verses on his wrist tape that allow him to remain level-headed during the cut and thrust of an AFL clash.
He celebrated game 50 against St Kilda with 25 disposals and a goal with Philippians four, verse 13 among the messages driving him, a personal favourite of Dempsey’s.
“I change it up, but I always have Philippians four, verse 13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’” Dempsey explained.
“It gives me different cues when I’m out there, when I’m going good, going bad. And that’s my foundation, my faith and my Christianity, and I’m able to be happy and at peace no matter if we’re winning or losing.
“It’s just knowing that it’s there that I’m constantly keeping that at the centre of my game.”
Footy wasn’t the number one focus for the former basketballer when he first caught the Cats’ eye in 2021, and it still isn’t his top priority.
But it’s a formula that is working perfectly for the Cats livewire.
“Footy is just an avenue to spread His goodness for me, and that’s my purpose,” Dempsey said.
“I feel that’s why I’m here and I love playing footy and that’s what I’ll keep doing, but that is the main part of my life.”
Originally published as Geelong sensation Ollie Dempsey on his friendship with Gary Ablett Jnr and his Christian faith
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