When Stephen Wells fronted the media at the conclusion of the 2023 AFL Draft, there was an unmistakable grin plastered across his face and a quiet sense of satisfaction among Geelong's recruiting team.

Maybe it was just Wells' natural demeanour and his permanent positive attitude, or perhaps there was a deeper sense of what the Cats had been able to accomplish in the draft process. 

Geelong entered the 2023 draft with their second highest pick in the previous nine years and they certainly did not waste it, selecting talented young defender, Connor O'Sullivan with pick 11. 

They would then follow that with two selections in quick succession at picks 32 and 36, utilising them to recruit Mitch Edwards and Shaun Mannagh. 

Even their three later picks would not go to waste, with the Cats selecting George Stevens at pick 58, Oli Wiltshire at pick 61, and then Lawson Humphries with the penultimate pick in the National Draft. 

The first selection in Geelong's draft class, Connor O'Sullivan spoke about the connection between that group of players during his press conference this week. 

"It is weird to say, but I think there was a level of confidence that we all had in each other from the start," O'Sullivan said. 

"When I first got to the club, I honestly saw all of us as, not necessarily ready to go because we all had things to improve on, but genuine AFL players.

"Being able to see that takeover and for everyone starting to play games, finding their way into the team has obviously been incredible. It has been awesome to share that experience and that journey with so many players.

"I think we have five or six in that group, but we are just continuing to build.

"What I said before about that level, we are just continuing to drive each other, I think us boys in that '23 draft class have done that internally. That has probably allowed us to get the best out of each other."

Keeping in mind that 2026 is only their third full season at the club, the results thus far have been staggering for this group with what they have been able to achieve in such a short period of time. 

Starting at the top, O'Sullivan spent his first year with the Cats plying his trade in the VFL, but was able to solidify his spot at the elite level immediately in 2025 after an impressive pre-season. 

Fast forward 18 months, he has claimed Geelong's Best Young Player award, earned a Rising Star nomination, been selected in the 22Under22 team and to top it all off, was just announced as part of the initial squad for the 2026 All Australian team. 

Mitch Edwards took a little longer to get going after an injury-interrupted start to his career, but this season has shown exactly what he is capable of and has given Cats fans a glimpse of what lies ahead for the young ruckman. 

Playing 18 games across the campaign so far, the big Cat has taken the mantle as Geelong's number one ruck, taking on the challenge against some of the game's most dominant talls and doing an effective job against the likes of Max Gawn and Darcy Cameron. 

He earned a Rising Star nomination and was selected in the initial squad for the AFLPA's 22Under 22 team, capping off a brilliant first season at AFL level for Edwards. 

Shaun Mannagh was consistently overlooked for some unknown reason and it fell in Geelong's favour, when they selected him with pick 36 in the 2023 draft. 

A ready-made player at the elite level, Mannagh quickly became a staple in the Cats' line-up and one of their most consistent threats inside forward 50, kicking 81 goals from just 58 games while also averaging over 17 disposals per game across his career so far. 

His impact has been extraordinary, as highlighted by a 30-disposal and five-goal outing against Brisbane earlier this year, or even his 33-disposal and three-goal outing against Richmond last weekend. 

Opportunities at the top level have been limited for George Stevens, with just four AFL games under his belt, but he is lauded by all teammates and coaches for his remarkable influence as a leader within the Cats' young core. 

His form at VFL level has been extraordinary, sitting in the top five in the VFL coaches' votes at the conclusion of Round 17 before the votes were hidden for the final six rounds, despite only having played 13 matches to that point. 

Oli Wiltshire has been a surprise packet for Geelong this year, entering the season with only two AFL games to his name and going on to make 14 appearances at the top level to this point of the year. 

He has become a genuine goalsneak, averaging nearly a goal per game and providing plenty of speed in the forward half, including a terrific three-goal haul in Round 20 to help the Cats clinch a crucial win over Melbourne. 

Last but certainly not least is the ever-reliable Lawson Humphries, a story that continues to get better with each passing day, after Geelong selected him with the second last pick in the 2023 National Draft. 

The dashing defender already has 58 AFL games to his name, impressing many not only with his skills on both sides of the body, but also his calmness and composure to continually make the right decision under pressure. 

This group has already made a significant impact at the Geelong Football Club in a short span and it will be intriguing to see what they can achieve together, particularly as they prepare for another big Finals campaign in 2026.