Ollie Dempsey has notched another significant milestone amidst his meteoric rise, selected in the 2025 AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team, presented by Intrepid Travel.
It marks the second consecutive year that Dempsey has made the 22Under22 team, following on from his Rising Star winning 2024 season.
After bursting onto the scene last year, Dempsey has gone from strength to strength in 2025, piecing together a brilliant campaign that has seen him recognised as one of the best wingers in the competition.
The young star has shown remarkable consistency, averaging 16.6 disposals per game this year with the ability to find space in the wide expanses of each ground, becoming a key part of Geelong's ball movement.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Dempsey's season has been his ability to have an impact inside forward 50, hitting the scoreboard in 18 of his 22 games this year and kicking a total of 27 goals, while also recording 12 goal assists.
Dempsey has kicked two goals in nine different matches in 2025, often able to utilise his elite running capacity to push forward and find space, while also working back to help out on the last line of defence when required.
The 22Under22 team is a fan-voted concept that recognises the AFL’s best young talent, with a 40 man squad whittled down to the best 22 players under the age of 22. The 40-person squad is assembled by St Kilda legend Leigh Montagna as Chair of Selectors, with support from the AFLPA and Champion Data.
For a player to be eligible for selection in the squad, they must be 22 and under for the entirety of the season (including Grand Final Day, 27 September) and have played a minimum of 12 games in 2025.
