There might be one or two differences between a Final at Barwon Heads and one at the MCG, but what certainly remained the same was the outstanding impact and skill of Oli Wiltshire. 

With the Cats off to a slow start and looking to work their way back into the contest, Wiltshire was one who got the ball rolling in the second term, providing two direct goal assists in the second quarter to help steady the ship. 

He continued to be influential right throughout the contest, clearly highlighted by his ability to put kicks in the right position and hit the leading forwards, finishing with a game and career-high four goal assists. 

Wiltshire also added a game-high 22 disposals and an equal game-high 12 score involvements, proving why he is so highly regarded within the club and more than justifying his selection in the team. 

Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd at the MCG, the emerging Cat said that his first AFL Final had a slightly different feel to his local days at Barwon Heads. 

01:27

Cats Smalls Ramp Up The Pressure

Oli Wiltshire, Gryan Miers and Brad Close combined brilliantly in Geelong's Elimination Final, creating some brilliant moments of pressure and class in the wet to give the Cats a winning edge.

"I was just saying to one of the boys before, I played a few finals at Barwon Heads, but nothing compares to that," Wiltshire told Cats Media. 

"96,000, it is unbelievable.

"The crowd was electric, hopefully we can get a few people over to Perth next week."

Wiltshire's performance was yet another nod to Geelong's remarkable 2023 draft class, which also included Mitch Edwards, Shaun Mannagh, Lawson Humphries and Connor O'Sullivan. 

All five players had a big impact in different ways during the Cats' Elimination Final victory, proving that they are built for the big stage despite only being in their third season at the club.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Oliver Wiltshire (left) and Tanner Bruhn of the Cats celebrate during the 2026 AFL Round 21 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 30, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Wiltshire was also able to share the experience alongside fellow Finals debutants in Edwards and Jay Polkinghorne, noting how important the duo have been for the Cats in 2026. 

"They have been huge," Wiltshire said. 

"Mitch Edwards has come in this year, he has played the whole year and he has been great the whole year.

"'Polky,' I think he has played under 10 games.

"He is only getting better and better, taking big clunks down forward for us and kicking goals. He is a star."