Geelong draftee Connor O’Sullivan has become an instant fan-favourite.
The 18-year-old was selected by the Cats with pick No.11 in the AFL draft on Monday night and immediately endeared himself to his new fans.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Geelong draftee’s surprise 2011 grand final role.
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O’Sullivan was presented with his new jumper – and iconic No.14 – by none other than club legend Joel Selwood.
After clearing the stage, O’Sullivan was speaking with Selwood and two Geelong officials when he heard his good friend and Murray Bushrangers teammate Phoenix Gothard being called out with the next pick.
In hilarious scenes, he jumped in the air, looked Selwood in the eye, and then left the AFL great for dust.
Gothard, who was not expected to be drafted in the first round, wasn’t wearing an Murray Bushrangers polo shirt so O’Sullivan quickly ripped off his to give to his close mate.
After already doing enough to win over his new fans, more footage has emerged that will skyrocket his popularity at Geelong.
In 2011, O’Sullivan was a part of one of the most famous days in Geelong’s history.
The Cats had just knocked off Collingwood in a thrilling grand final and not only was O’Sullivan, who was six years old at the time, at the game but he played a key role in the celebrations.
When Harry Taylor was called up to the dais, O’Sullivan – in oversized Cats gear – was there to greet the club great and present him with his premiership medal.
“So in 2011 I was actually lucky enough to present the grand final medal to him,” O’Sullivan told Cats Media.
“It’s come full circle.
“It’s so weird to think about.”
O’Sullivan, who stands an imposing 198cm, could follow in the footsteps of Taylor in holding down a key defensive post at Geelong.
With the No.14 on his back, O’Sullivan already has big shoes to fill.
“It’s been pretty surreal, to be honest,” he said.
“The nerves, the adrenaline, it’s all starting to relax and it’s all starting to sink in. It’s an incredible feeling.”
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