September football has a well-earned reputation for being a different beast and with 86,364 fans roaring inside the MCG cauldron, it is easy to see how a player could feel overawed on the big stage.

For a player experiencing the bright lights of Finals Footy for the first time, the moment could easily have been overwhelming, but not many handled the pressure quite like Connor O'Sullivan in the biggest game of his career to date. 

Making a number of big plays to stop threatening Brisbane attacks, like his important tackle on Cam Rayner in the first quarter, O'Sullivan collected 10 disposals (eight contested) and five intercept possessions while also taking three intercept marks. 

In a moment he will never forget, Geelong's emerging star said that he got the chance to absorb the triumphant victory with some teammates. 

"It was absolutely amazing," O'Sullivan told Cats Media following the game.

"I was sitting there on the bench with Osh [Mullin], Shauny [Mannagh], 'Bowser' [Jack Bowes] and 'Marto' [Jack Martin] at the end. We were all celebrating, we couldn't believe it.

"It is obviously an incredible feeling and to be able to sit there and soak it up was awesome."

O'Sullivan's performance was a key piece in a dominant display from Geelong's defensive unit, who were able to gain the ascendancy early and remain on top of Brisbane's dangerous forwards. 

The Cats held the Lions to just 11 goals from 47 inside-50 entries with O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jack Henry and Zach Guthrie combining to take a phenomenal 16 intercept marks between them. 

They have proven what they are capable of over a long period of time, but O'Sullivan said it felt like the stars aligned during Friday's Qualifying Final. 

"I feel like it all just came together really well tonight," O'Sullivan said. 

"We have played really well in patches over the whole year, but I think it shows the capability of our backline especially.

"We are obviously very lucky to have some very experienced and talented guys back there. To be able to play alongside them and for them to come out and show all their strengths tonight, on full display it was obviously incredible."

The performance on Friday night continued O'Sullivan's rapid rise in 2025, a remarkable feat considering this time 12 months ago he was preparing for a VFL Semi Final with only one AFL game under his belt. 

Across the course of the season he has proven to be as reliable as anyone, sitting in Geelong's top three for intercept possessions, intercept marks, contested marks and spoils, playing all but one game at the top level throughout the year. 

Looking back over the journey, the young star admitted it is hard to believe just how far he has come. 

"It is a very big 'pinch me' moment," O'Sullivan said. 

"I was sitting up there last year in the Prelim, when we watched the Lions beat us.

"So to now be out there on the ground, obviously it is still a Qualifying Final and we may have another chance against them.

"But to be able to sit there and soak up that feeling on the ground with all the players was incredible."