Exciting and agile with a great skill-set and elite endurance, Oli Wiltshire turned plenty of heads in the VFL this year and has earned his shot at the top level, set to make his AFL debut against Carlton on Sunday.
Drafted from local club Barwon Heads, the dynamic forward only managed seven games in an injury-interrupted opening season with the Cats in 2024, but has wasted no time showing people what he is capable of in 2025.
Through three VFL games this year, Wiltshire has booted seven goals and averages nearly 16 disposals per game, using his work rate to have an impact right across the ground.
It is not just coaches and supporters that have taken notice of his season so far, with Shaun Mannagh noting Wiltshire's impact during his press conference this week.
"He is an excitement machine, he can do some things that not many people can on a footy field," Mannagh said.
"He is awesome to watch, his work rate as well is incredible and all the good things he can do.
"Over the past 12 to 18 months, his work rate has increased dramatically and that is why he has given himself an opportunity at the top level.
"He is another one from my draft class which is pretty cool, he will always take his opportunity that is for sure."
Similar to Mannagh himself, Wiltshire bided his time at a local level and continued to develop his game, before earning an opportunity at the top level when Geelong drafted him in 2023.
At 22 years of age the young forward joined the club with a little bit more experience, but what has impressed most is his willingness to learn and develop which has helped him start strongly in the VFL this year.
Earlier in the season, Wiltshire outlined his focus during the pre-season and what he has been working on to help improve his game.
“Just running and my power, staying in between contests, staying dangerous, getting use when I can, and also ball drop stuff is what I have worked on during the year,” Wiltshire told Cats Media.
“I have also worked on form, craft, pushing my opponent away from the contest so you can hit the pack at speed and crumb goals as a small forward."
Mannagh said it has been exciting to see the development of Wiltshire, from a young local player to the top level.
"It is cool to see, he has done his thing coming from out at Barwon Heads and it is a pretty amazing story," Mannagh said.
"Even for what he is doing now at VFL level, it is really great.
"He has put his name up, he had a massive off-season and really proved why he is here."
Wiltshire will make his AFL debut this weekend, as the Cats head to the MCG to take on Carlton this Sunday afternoon.
