Emerging forward Ollie Dempsey was brimming with excitement as he spoke to media about his two-year contract extension this week. 

After an impressive start to the year in the VFL, the 20-year-old played his first AFL match of the season on Saturday, coming in as the sub and playing a solid second half against Adelaide. 
Just 24 hours later, the club announced he and fellow forward Brad Close had signed two-year contract extensions, seeing them remain at the club until at least the end of 2025. 

“I’m very excited – there’s no other club I’d rather be at than here,” Dempsey said on Monday. 
“They’ve given me my opportunity and I love it so much here. It’s a great culture, and I’m excited.” 

The Cats selected Dempsey in the 2021 rookie draft, after the talented youngster made the switch back to footy, having spent most of his teenage years playing basketball. 

His athletic ability was clear from the outset, as Dempsey continued to develop his craft as a running forward after joining the Cats. 

Now based in Torquay, Dempsey lined up for the Cats’ VFL side on 14 occasions last year, and showed he was more than capable of making a real impact up forward, kicking 3.2 on debut in the state league. 

He started in a similar fashion in 2023, booted 3.1 against Carlton in VFL Round 1. 

Dempsey’s first opportunity at AFL level came against North Melbourne in Hobart last year, where he kicked his first league major and picked up 16 disposals as the Cats went on to win by 10 goals. 

In his return to Geelong’s AFL side on the weekend, Dempsey enjoyed the opportunity to play alongside many of the teammates who have been so influential in his early development at the club. 

“I think Gryan (Miers) is a good one, he’s not that old, but he’s really good at his knowledge about the game, and he’s my position as well, so he really helps there, and then Jez is always fun and good, same with Hawk, they’re all good down forward,” Dempsey said. 

“And then obviously Pat (Dangerfield), he’s brilliant, he’s done really well since Joel (Selwood finished as captain) last year, so he’s really filled that role and he’s been great for me and everyone else as well, I think.” 

Dempsey was one of five 20-year-olds in the side on the weekend, and highlighted the impressive form a number of young Cats were building. 

“Max (Holmes) has been brilliant this year – he’s just continued his form from last year as well,” Dempsey said. 

“And Tanner (Bruhn) and Mitchy Knevitt had a really good game, and Ollie Henry and obviously Sam De Koning I’m really close with as well. 

“All those young guys coming through, it’s a really exciting time. Having five 20-year-olds play on the weekend was really exciting for us, I reckon, and it was good fun.” 

It was a sentiment echoed by Close, who likewise was picked up in a rookie draft, joining the club in 2019 as a 21-year-old. 

“I think ‘Holmesy’ has showed in the last couple of years that he is going to be a star, absolutely, and he showed it on the weekend as well,” he said. 

“For Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey, who have been training really hard and obviously have come in and out the last couple of years, but I think it just shows that they’re ready to go when we need them, and they really stepped up on the weekend, Mitch with a nice goal, and he gave one off as well, and Ollie with his pressure down forward I thought was really good.” 

Now 24, Close has cemented his place in the Geelong line-up as a crafty forward who brings brilliant pressure, playing 63 games since his debut in Round 8, 2020. 

Close was no stranger to team success, having won two premierships with his local club North Gambier – his first when he was just 16 years old. 

After stepping up to the SANFL to play for Glenelg, it wasn’t long before Close again got to taste premiership success, winning a flag with the Tigers in 2019, before being drafted to the Cats. 
Reflecting on his journey now, Close said “it sort of happened pretty quick”. 

“I think I sort of shocked myself, being drafted originally, and then finding my way into the side,” he said. 

“And then last year, to finish the season with a premiership after a few good years playing in the side, it was awesome.”