New Geelong cult hero Oisin Mullin looked comfortable in defence in his first game in the AFL but the coaches are planning a different role once he settles in.
An inside-midfield role beckons for Geelong debutant Oisin Mullin as he continues to grow his game as Geelong coaches see big things in the powerful Irishman.
A young star in Gaelic football, Mullin played his first AFL game in Geelong’s loss to the GWS Giants on Saturday.
He picked up 15 disposals and looks at home in the new game.
Mullin will spend the rest of this season across half-back but assistant coach James Kelly said the Cats see his explosive physical tools as a good fit for the midfield in coming years.
“The thing with ‘Osh’ is he is a little bit older, he is not fresh from school and he has had a job so he is a little bit more mature,” Kelly told a Geelong member forum.
“Everything he has done since he got into the program, he has just taken it in his stride and the rate of improvement in him is really quite steep.
“He has been fantastic. You probably saw (against the Giants) that power and speed he has got. At this stage it will help him be a really good defender and eventually we are hoping that may look like a bit of a powerful inside-mid, clearance type player.
“He is a really exciting prospect because of what he does and how he performs but also just the limited exposure he has had to the game.”
Kelly revealed the Geelong coaches had an extensive sit down on Monday to plat a way out of a 5-6 hole that threatens to rub out the team’s premiership defence.
The coaches plan to reassess at the club’s bye, after this weekend’s meeting with the Western Bulldogs, and launch an assault on the back half of the year.
“We had a big conversation with the coaches (on Monday) about after this week and putting in a really good performance against the Bulldogs, and then looking at ways we can maximise the players we have got and looking to build the connection and cohesion in the group post-bye,” Kelly said.
Cats debutant keen to lock in spot in Geelong side
Debutant Cat Oisin Mullin is determined to make Geelong’s selectors job “as easy as possible” as he attempts to lock in a spot with the reigning premier.
Plucked for a debut after just three VFL matches, Mullin was a bright spot in Geelong’s bitter loss to GWS Giants on Saturday, as he collected 15 disposals in an impressive outing.
The Irishman is still learning the intricacies of AFL and even the lingo, as he said he wanted to earn the trust the Geelong’s “managers” – coaches – and keep his spot in the side.
“For me personally (my goal) is to keep developing my game and doing my best to contribute to the team in a positive way,” he said.
“I have to leave the selection down to the managers and just make the job as easy as possible to keep me in the team, so it’s just trying to build that confidence in myself and with them to have in myself as well.”
Mullin said the debut “came as a surprise to me” and he wouldn’t have backed himself to play for the Cats so early in his tenure with the club.
“You are always hopeful, each week that was passing I thought I was building but I wouldn’t have put a bet on that I would be playing so soon,” he said.
“It’s a privilege that the coaches had so much faith in my to get out there this soon after just three VFL games, I was just delighted with that.”
Mullin instantly won the Geelong faithful over, earning cheers for his first possession and the GMHBA Stadium fans were on their feet when he narrowly missed a snap at goal in the third term, before catching himself laughing with fellow Irishman Zach Tuohy.
“I didn’t think too much about it but when I turned around I locked eyes with Zach straight away and he had a bit smirk on his face, it was a nice little moment in the game,” he said.
“It was a close one, it would have been a nice little start.
“It was a really nice feeling to come out and to know I have such a big support from the fans already … it was really nice and I appreciate that support from them from the get go.”
Mullin, Tuohy and Mark O’Connor became the first triumvirate of Irish teammate in one side in AFL history on Saturday and Mullin felt strong support from his hometown.
“I’m sure there was a gathering at the house in the morning, my nephew was having his communion today and there was a little gathering as well in Kilmaine Community Centre, so I think the parish got around there, so there was a bit of excitement around the place,” he said.
Originally published as How Oisin Mullin plans to win his way into Geelong’s best 22