Arguably 2023's biggest draft bolter, Oliver Wiltshire, is pressing his case for an AFL debut early into the new season as he continues to catch the eye for Geelong's VFL side.
Wiltshire was plucked out of local club Barwon Heads by the Cats 18 months ago, with the 22-year-old selected with Pick 61 in the national intake.
The selection was a stunning turnout on draft night as list guru Stephen Wells and his team made the move for a grassroots talent from the Geelong area, with Wiltshire's switch to Kardinia Park one of several fascinating selections made by the Cats.
Geelong had selected Connor O'Sullivan with Pick 11 on the opening night of the count, with mature-aged additions Shaun Mannagh and Lawson Humphries taken in the later rounds, and now hold key roles under coach Chris Scott alongside O'Sullivan.
The Cats also acquired AFL Academy members Mitch Edwards and George Stevens at the draft, rounding out a busy draft window for Wells.
But it was the pick of Wiltshire that had most talking, with Wells looking outside of the traditional talent pathways to promote the zippy half-forward from the local scene.
"We just always try to do what is in the best interests of the footy club, and the Geelong region is a great footy area and the different leagues down, there's players that develop at different rates," Wells said on the night.
"This year Ollie Wiltshire, who came through the Bellarine Football Netball League, he actually had a couple of games at the Geelong Falcons a couple of years ago and didn't go quite so well, but his performances over the last two years and this year in particular has been outstanding.
"It's going to be really interesting to see how he develops and we will see a lot of upside there. But there's great talent down in Geelong and it's there for everyone to see."
A pelvic injury limited Wiltshire's first year on Geelong's list, with the attacking small managing just seven appearances at VFL level as the setback hampered the middle of his 2024 campaign.
Off the back of his second pre-season in the blue and white, Wiltshire has started the current season as one of the form players of the state league competition, with the Cats taking their record to a perfect 3-0 start on Friday with a win over Casey.
Wiltshire was one of six multiple goalkickers for the Cats' reserves in the 16-point victory while collecting 23 disposals, nine score involvements, 11 contested possessions, four inside 50s and four intercept possessions.
The outing added to Wiltshire's strong season-opener against Sandringham, with the 180cm forward booting 3.4 from 17 disposals in what was a blistering start to his second campaign at the club.
Wiltshire wasn't able to suit up in Round 2 against the Northern Bullants after being named as an emergency for Geelong's trip to face Brisbane in the AFL last weekend.
He could find himself in the AFL selection mix again despite Geelong's victory over Melbourne for Round 4, with Wiltshire mounting pressure on the Cats' top line of small forwards.
The incumbent contingent of Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers, Bradley Close and Oliver Dempsey won't make it easy for Wiltshire to find a place in the senior side, while Ted Clohesy and the aforementioned Mannagh have also proven themselves as front-half assets.
Wiltshire isn't alone in knocking on the door for a potential debut at Geelong, with fellow 2023 draftee George Stevens among the Cats' best at VFL level across their undefeated start to the year.
Stevens polled 15 coaches votes across the opening two wins and was dominant against Casey, collecting 27 disposals, 11 clearances, 16 contested possessions and seven score involvements as a big-bodied onballer who can also shift to a defensive post.
The promising form of both Wiltshire and George adds to what is shaping as a successful 2023 draft class for the Cats, with O'Sullivan emerging as a Rising Star contender this year while Humphries and Mannagh add to promising maiden seasons.
