The rise to prominence of Geelong young gun Ollie Dempsey has been rewarded with a four-year contract extension.
The 22-year-old reigning Rising Star will remain in the Hoops until at least the end of 2029, taking him to free agency.
A talented junior basketballer, Dempsey landed on the Cats’ radar while playing school football for Carey Grammar in 2021.
He joined the club with pick 15 in the 2022 Rookie Draft and made his debut in Round 6 of that year.
After two AFL appearances in his first season, Dempsey played five games in 2023.
However, it was last year that he showed why Geelong was keen to get him to GMHBA Stadium.
Dempsey kicked three goals and gathered 15 disposals in the Round 1 win over St Kilda to mark the opening of the Joel Selwood Stand and never looked back.
He averaged 17.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, and kicked 22 goals for 2024.
While his disposals (16.1) and mark averages (3.8) are slightly down, he has already kicked 22 goals, with the win over Melbourne and last week’s loss to Brisbane the only matches he hasn’t registered a major.
“Ollie has an infectious personality and is a much-loved member of our football program,” Geelong football boss Mackie said.
“Already in his short career, Ollie has a great highlight reel and has added a real spark on-field with his energy and hard running, and we can’t wait to see him continue to grow as a person and a player over the next four years.”
The re-signing of Dempsey reduces the number of Cats without a deal for next year to 12.
Irishman Oisin Mullin appears to be next cab off the rank, with manager Dylan Hodge returning from overseas earlier this week.
“(We are) really confident with where that is,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie told K rock Football on June 14.
“His manager is on holidays; they all go away this time of the year.
“Ois will be good. He’s a great guy to have around the footy club and as we touched on, he is doing a great job for us.”
The Cats will have calls to make on veteran premiership quartet Rhys Stanley, Mitch Duncan, Jed Bews and the injury-hit Cam Guthrie, as well as rookies Ted Clohesy, Patrick Retschko, Xavier Ivisic and Joe Pike.
Midfielder Mitch Knevitt, 2023 draftees George Stevens and Oli Wiltshire are also without a deal for 2026.
X: @krockfootball
