It is hard to believe that just 18 months ago, Ollie Dempsey was on the fringes of Geelong's AFL team looking for a way in.
A dominant 2023 VFL campaign saw Dempsey selected in the VFL Team of the Year despite playing just 14 games, but opportunities at the top level had proven hard to come by.
The young talent was somewhat of an unknown quantity when the 2024 season rolled around, with seven games at the top level under his belt, four of those he either started as the sub or was subbed out during the match.
But that all changed in a hurry.
In the opening match of 2024 against St Kilda, Dempsey played a pivotal role for the Cats booting three goals and collecting 15 disposals, earning a Rising Star nomination for his performance and there was no looking back from that point onwards.
Fast forward to today and the young gun has featured in 40 consecutive AFL games for Geelong, winning a Rising Star Award and featuring in his first Finals series along the journey, capping it off with a four year contract extension.
"Hearing all that, it is pretty crazy to really think about," Dempsey told Cats Media.
"If I was to think back to the start of last year, thinking about signing a four year deal to the end of 2029 and playing 40 consecutive games, it is pretty cool to look back and see how far I've come. I am just blessed for the opportunity and loving my time here."
His elite running capacity and ability to influence games at both ends of the ground quickly made Dempsey one of the hottest prospects in the competition, not to mention his spectacular aerial ability and brilliant goal sense.
But there was never any doubt where he wanted his future to be, committed to the Hoops and eager to continue his career at Kardinia Park.
"I just love it here, living down in Torquay you can't complain. It is just the best culture and environment to be a part of at Geelong, the way they run the program from our CEO and coaches through to the players.
"I love the playing group and I have a lot of best mates here, so it is definitely great to be here and locked in for the future."
A move to the wing would ultimately be the key to unlocking Dempsey's potential, allowing him to utilise his aerobic capacity and find space on the wide expanses of each ground.
But it certainly did not compromise his impact inside forward 50, booting 44 goals over the last 40 games and ranking in the top three at Geelong for score involvements and goal assists during that span.
Despite his dramatic rise over the past 18 months, Cats coach Chris Scott has maintained that Dempsey still has plenty of room for growth and development which is an exciting concept for Geelong supporters.
"I still think I am pretty raw, which is weird to say but I only really came back to footy when I got drafted a few years ago," Dempsey said. I am still learning a lot and learning off a lot of guys like Gryan, he has been really good for me with my patterns, playing the same position.
"I think there is still so much to work on, a lot of my contest stuff and running in that sense. I have worked a lot on my running over the last few years, it has been good to be able to put it forward and play, using it to the best of my ability this year."
As for the key influences on his career, Dempsey said it starts at the top with the Geelong skipper.
"I think Paddy as our captain, he has been unbelievable for me personally," Dempsey said.
"Just his love of life and footy, he has given me a lot of confidence in my game and he really backs me in. I appreciate that, he has been really good for me. Another two that have been really good are Jez and Blitz, they have been great for me in my development. Just in all aspects of the game and outside of footy as well, they are all really close mates of mine and have been very key influences in my footy journey so far."
Geelong are firmly entrenched in the Finals race once again in 2025, currently sitting in third position on the ladder with eight games remaining in the home and away season.
The run home includes four games at GMHBA Stadium and only one match against a team currently sitting in the top eight, presenting a good opportunity for the Cats to mount a challenge in the back half of the year.
For Dempsey it is a chance to return to the most exciting part of the year, after he got his first taste of Finals football in 2024.
"It was really cool last year to be a part of those two Finals games, unfortunately we fell a bit short and we were in a good position to go a bit further, but that is footy," Dempsey said.
"I think this year we are in a great position again to hopefully go far. We have got a great list, great coaching staff and we feel like we are one of the best teams in it. We just have to believe that and take it day by day, week by week and not look too far in advance.
"But I definitely want to get back there because tasting Finals last year, it makes you want to get back there every year."
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