Ollie Dempsey’s breakout season has been capped by winning the AFL’s Rising Star award.
Dempsey, who polled 52 votes to win by nine votes from North Melbourne’s George Wardlaw on 43, is only the second Cat to claim the Ron Evans Medal, joining legendary former captain Joel Selwood.
A talented junior basketballer, Dempsey joined the Cats via the 2022 Rookie Draft from Old Carey in the VAFA.
He debuted in 2022 but met the eligibility criteria of having played under ten games ahead of this year.
Dempsey was one of seven Cats to play every game this year.
He earned his Rising Star nomination in Round 1 and went on to kick 21 goals for the season – fifth most at Geelong – and average 18 disposals.
First-year Cat Lawson Humphries polled two votes to finish equal ninth.
X: @krockfootball
2024 AFL Rising Star voting:
1st place – Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats): 52 votes
2nd place – George Wardlaw (North Melbourne): 43 votes
3rd place – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions): 21 votes
4th place – Darcy Wilson (St Kilda): 15 votes
5th place – Colby McKercher (North Melbourne): 12 votes
Allocation of votes
Andrew Dillon (Chair)
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Darcy Jones (GWS GIANTS)
2. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
1. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
Eddie Betts
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Darcy Jones (GWS GIANTS)
2. Lawson Humphries (Geelong Cats)
1. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
Jude Bolton
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Matt Roberts (Sydney Swans)
2. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
1. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
Nathan Buckley
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
2. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
1. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
Kane Cornes
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
2. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
1. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
Abbey Holmes
5. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
4. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
3. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
2. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
1. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
Glen Jakovich
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
3. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
2. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
1. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
Matthew Pavlich
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
2. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
1. Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast SUNS)
Laura Kane
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
2. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
1. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
Josh Mahoney
5. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
2. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
1. Logan Morris (Brisbane Lions)
Kevin Sheehan
5. Oliver Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
4. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
3. Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
2. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
1. Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
