Uncapped second-year Geelong forward Oliver Wiltshire has emerged as a potential selection chance for the Cats as they look to replace sidelined gun Gryan Miers.
Miers will miss Sunday's affair against Carlton after entering concussion protocols, with the Cats to look toward their VFL standouts in search of his replacement.
Wiltshire has been a shining light under state league coach Mark Corrigan in his second season at the level, having been drafted to Geelong in 2023 straight out of the local football scene.
The 22-year-old is averaging 15.7 disposals, 3.0 inside 50s, 2.0 tackles and 2.3 goals per game for the Cats' reserves, enjoying a strong 2025 after a "massive off-season".
Fellow 2023 mature-aged draft addition Shaun Mannagh labelled Wiltshire as an "excitement machine" when speaking to media, backing the local forward to be ready to take the next step.
Quizzed on Wiltshire's selection chances in the wake of Miers' injury, Mannagh said the 180cm forward has done the work to be rewarded with a debut.
"An excitement machine," Mannagh said of the Barwon Heads product. "He can do some things not many people can on the footy field. He's awesome to watch.
"His work rate as well, over the past 12-18 months his work rate has increased dramatically and that's why he's given himself an opportunity to play.
"Hopefully he can, he's another from my draft class, which is pretty cool we could play together. When he does come in he'll take his opportunity."
"It's an amazing story. Even for what he's doing now at VFL level, he's put his name up and had a massive off-season.
"He's proved why he should be playing AFL and no doubt he'll be in the team sooner rather than later."
Geelong's 2023 draft class is shaping as an exciting one for the club, with Rising Star contender Connor O'Sullivan and ambidextrous backman Lawson Humphries also taken alongside Mannagh, Wiltshire and AFL Academy pair George Stevens and Mitchell Edwards.
The Cats are yet to unveil a debutant this year after naming three last year.
Geelong face Carlton at the MCG on Sunday at 3:20pm (AEST), hoping to continue their winning ways after defeating Adelaide and Hawthorn in recent weeks.
