Whenever players were asked during the 2025 pre-season who was one to watch as the year progressed, there was always one name that seemed to pop up time and time again. 

That name was Connor O'Sullivan. 

Despite only featuring in one AFL game during his debut season with the Cats, a strong block of training put O'Sullivan firmly in the selection window early in the year, and he certainly grasped that opportunity with both hands. 

After earning a spot in Geelong's Round 1 team, the former No.11 draft pick put the competition on notice with a dazzling display against St Kilda in Round 2.

Under the roof at Marvel Stadium for the first time, O'Sullivan collected 15 disposals and took seven marks (two contested) against the Saints, while also picking off nine intercept possessions across half-back. 

But it was not just his defensive presence that impressed, with the young star able to push forward and register four inside 50s and five score involvements, having a big impact at both ends of the ground. 

An important player as the Cats mounted a big comeback in the second half, O'Sullivan collected seven disposals and five intercept possessions in the final term alone, standing tall under immense pressure in just his third AFL game. 

He also produced one of the best highlights of the night, rising high above a pack midway through the second quarter and pulling down an extraordinary mark. 

It proved to be a statement game and a sign of what was to come in 2025, going on to play 25 of a possible 26 games in the season and helped the Cats to make a deep run in September. 

O'Sullivan would also finish in the top five in the overall AFL Rising Star standings at the end of the year, an exciting future awaiting the 20 year old defender in years to come. 

Throughout that Round 2 clash with St Kilda, a number of Geelong's emerging talents stood tall as the Cats clawed their way back from a 41-point deficit, despite falling narrowly short in the dying moments of the match. 

There were nine different players that featured in the game aged 22 years or younger, including the likes of Mitch Knevitt, Jhye Clark and Shannon Neale with all players standing tall in some big moments.