Geelong defender Connor O’Sullivan on earning Rising Star nomination and ‘honour’ of wearing Joel Selwood’s number

Joel Selwood won a Rising Star and a premiership in his first season. Geelong’s new No.14 managed just one AFL game. But the round two Rising Star nominee only has gratitude for receiving the legend’s number.

“His aerial ability, composure, ability to intercept mark and his endurance at only 18 years of age is something we are really excited about.”

That was experienced Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells after the Cats took Connor O’Sullivan with their first pick of the 2023 national draft and 11th selection overall.

O’Sullivan, now 19, put all of those traits on show in an impressive performance against St Kilda to earn himself the round two Rising Star nomination, something the humble youngster didn’t see coming.

The 198cm key defender stood up with the game on the line in the final term with seven disposals and five intercepts – including two crucial marks in one-on-one contests – to finish with 15 touches and nine intercepts in just his third AFL game.

Connor O'Sullivan’s intercepting stood out agains the Saints. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“Obviously pretty surprised to be honest. I felt like as a group we had a lot of young guys stand up on the day, so wasn’t really expecting much of it,” O’Sullivan said.

“As a sort of young group I was pretty surprised and amazed by the performance of some of the other younger guys.

“I didn’t really expect it but obviously a great honour.

“I was pretty happy with my second half, but is areas of my game and as a group that I’m always going to strive to get better at.

“And if we can tidy those things up – not just myself personally but as a defensive unit and as a whole team – we’ll look really strong.”

Another honour for Connor was being bestowed with the No. 14 guernsey worn by Geelong legend Joel Selwood.

That pressure can be a burden for a young player, but O’Sullivan knows he and Selwood are very different.

Fiercely courageous midfielder Selwood won the AFL Rising Star award and a premiership in the first season of his glittering career, while emerging tall O’Sullivan managed just the one AFL game.

Connor O'Sullivan with Joel Selwood at the 2023 AFL Draft. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“There might have been an idea that there was external pressure, but for me, the guys within the club and Joel himself, I don’t feel like there has been any sort of pressure put on me,” O’Sullivan said.

“I know that I’m a developing, tall player and if I can just look to build my game over the course of however many years, then that’s sort of my goal.

“I didn’t feel a lot of pressure to be honest, more just gratitude. To be presented that number is obviously a great honour and something in Cats history that is very well respected.”

Selwood has been in contact with O’Sullivan since the six-time All-Australian handed the draftee his guernsey – particularly in his first season at the Cats.

“I had early on spoken to him a fair bit. He is obviously an amazing person and a great role model for not just footy players but all professional athletes.

“He is someone I definitely look up to and is well respected, so any sort of contact with him was amazing and sort of have definitely empowered me and given me the confidence to just go out and enjoy playing in the hoops.

“Early on when he ducked into the club he was making sure that I got my head around everything, I was well organised and I think that obviously helps your performance out on gameday if you have a clear mind and can just go out and perform.”

An emphasis on adding size and power to his make-up have also allowed O’Sullivan to walk taller on the field.

O’Sullivan caught the eye of his teammates over a bumper pre-season, including an impressive practice match display against Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium.

“I’ve tried over the course of the last 12 months to sort of put on that four to five kilo range, and it’s sort of just allowing me to feel more comfortable in my body against bigger, more mature oppositions,” O’Sullivan said.

“For me, that was probably an area of focus from my first year and this year, was just trying to put on more size and become more of an explosive and powerful athlete – which look, I’m still working to do.”

An injury to defensive mainstay Jake Kolodjashnij helped open the door for O’Sullivan to play against Fremantle in round one, and he is due to return from a groin in two weeks time.

But O’Sullivan is focused on the long-term.

Connor O'Sullivan spots an option in round one. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“For me I feel like it is just an ongoing thing, it is not necessarily about how quickly I can cement my spot or that sort of stuff.

“Sort of through what I have spoken about with James Kelly, the defenders coach, and the other coaches about is just continuing to ply my craft and work on the things that I can work on. And if that comes up in selection, then obviously that is great and I’m really honoured, but at the same time I feel like it just needs to be continual growth from my end.

“‘Kola’ has done an amazing job of teaching me and showing me the ropes as well, so obviously he’ll be awesome when he comes back as well. So as I said it is just a matter of me continually trying to grow as a player but still try to understand how I fit in the team.”

Gryan Miers, who has worked alongside Wells in Geelong’s recruiting team, declared last pre-season that O’Sullivan was, “Almost the type of guy you’d offer a 10-year-contract to straight away.”

That was before he’d played a single game in the hoops.

He is only three games and 15 months into his AFL career, but it looks like a promising future ahead for the new No.14.

And you can’t blame Cats fans for getting excited.

Originally published as Geelong defender Connor O’Sullivan on earning Rising Star nomination and ‘honour’ of wearing Joel Selwood’s number