Geelong and top 10 draft picks have been a rare match over the past two decades.
Since drafting Joel Selwood with pick 7 in the 2006 draft, the Cats have only entered three drafts holding top 10 selections, the first two becoming Nakia Cockatoo (2014) and Jhye Clark (2022).
So when Stephen Wells and the recruiting team returned to the top end of the draft board in 2023, they were determined to use the pick wisely and secure a player that would help to drive the next generation at the club.
While that pick slid narrowly outside the top 10 after academy bids were matched, Geelong selected highly-touted young defender Connor O'Sullivan, a pick that is already paying dividends after his first two years at the club.
But despite Geelong's interest in the Albury product, O'Sullivan told Cats Media that he was not certain whether he would be pulling on the blue and white hoops until his name was read out on the opening night of the draft.
"I don't know if Geelong has earned a reputation of being low-key, a few of the other boys have mentioned this too but for me, I didn't even consider Geelong to be interested," O'Sullivan said.
"Liam Woodland was the recruiter that came to my house in Albury and we had a chat, but it was very informal and very low-key. He was obviously a really good guy and was just happy to talk about the love of the game and my interests.
"I didn't really think that much of it and then at the draft combine, it was when all the big boys were in there which was nice.
"I was actually running late to that interview after an interview with another club, I was very rattled but they were absolutely amazing about it. I thought I was in for some trick questions, but they were so good.
"I think they offered us lollies in there as well and I think everyone thought it was a trap, but knowing what I do now, that they honestly just low-key guys.
"They were my first big interactions and Andrew Mackie was there, Stephen Wells and all the recruiting team."
While most clubs would be refining and finalising their list of prospects in the days leading up to the draft, Geelong went with a slightly different strategy in 2023.
In the Cats' final meeting with the young defender, O'Sullivan said that he chatted with club psychologist, Dave Williams about some of his interests away from the football field.
"Probably the last interaction I had was with Dave Williams, our psychologist a night or two before the draft," O'Sullivan said.
"I had a Zoom call with him to chat about psychology and at the time it was a big interest for me educationally, wanting to pursue it outside of the game.
"Throughout my whole experience with Geelong, I never really expected to come here and I am very grateful that I did."
Throughout his junior career, O'Sullivan had a number of connections with Geelong that ultimately became a full circle moment when his name was read out on draft night.
In 2011, a six-year-old Connor O'Sullivan presented Harry Taylor with his premiership medal after the Cats' Grand Final triumph, while he was also in attendance as Geelong trounced Sydney in the 2022 decider.
It all added up to an extraordinary story that culminated in the 2023 draft, O'Sullivan noting how special the journey was.
"I would say it is a massive full circle moment, you probably don't think about it when you are six years of age and running out on the MCG, giving a medal on Grand Final day," O'Sullivan said.
"You think it is a cool experience, but you probably don't grasp just how huge it is.
"For me it probably came as well in 2022, I was lucky enough to play an Under-17s futures game before the Grand Final. We stuck around and watched the game and at the time I was a Swans fan, but obviously the Cats got over the line in a big way.
"Looking back on that the next year, being drafted here it is surreal how little moments in your life and special opportunities that you have had link to the Cats.
"It felt pretty poetic in a weird way, but it is cool to see that growth come from such a young age, now being in the inner sanctum. It is really cool."
