The Irish Connection: How Mullin came to call Geelong home

After signing a two year contract extension, Oisín Mullin sat down with Cats Media to chat through his journey at Geelong

Moving to the other side of the globe — to an unfamiliar location, where you do not know anyone — to play a game you have never tried is a true leap of faith.

That is the challenge that Irish players face when they switch codes and join the AFL. While it has become a more popular move in recent years, there are still only 30 Irishmen that have featured in a V/AFL match across the history of the game.

One of those players to make the move is Oisín Mullin, who joined the Cats at the end of 2022 and has come on in leaps and bounds during his first few seasons at the club, featuring in all but one game so far in 2025.

Showing great versatility with the ability to play as a tagger, across half back or through the midfield as required, Mullin was rewarded for his strong development with a two year contract extension which will see him remain at the club until at least the end of 2027.

Following in the footsteps of some other great Irish names at Geelong, Mullin opened up about his initial experience at the club and how it helped him to settle into life at the Cattery.

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"With the AFL, I was coming into a complete unknown and I didn't really know what to expect," Mullin told Cats Media.

"But from the get go, day one 'Wortho' [Mark Worthington] picked me up at the airport, brought me back to the club and showed me round.

"I got to meet the academy boys who were in the week early at the beginning of the pre-season, so from the beginning it was a very homely vibe.

"Everyone was very welcoming and I knew that I was going to be pretty happy here."

A big part of his journey has been the connection with fellow Irishmen at the club including the likes of Zach Tuohy, Mark O'Connor and new addition, Cillian Burke.

Mullin described the impact that each of those players has had on his development not only on the field, but off it as well.

"Obviously the Cats have been known for having a great culture," Mullin said.

"I guess when I was coming over there was Zach [Tuohy] and Mark [O'Connor] here as well, so having that Irish connection was a big pull and a big factor in coming over here. Obviously the two of them were very important in the journey from the get go, they definitely had an influence in that.

"Zach from the beginning, I worked with him a lot doing a lot of kicking, his kick was obviously unbelievable. His marking as well, just nailing the skills with him and chatting me through what it takes to keep developing. Obviously it takes a lot of patience as well, things aren't going to click from the get go.

"With the off field transition as well, just to know Mark [O'Connor] especially who has been at the club for this his ninth season, he has been through that whole transition period. Just getting tips from him, not just on the field but off the field as well, it is very helpful.

"Getting Cillian to join this year has been great, he is a great personality to have around the club. I have been loving it with them."

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Zak Butters of the Power tackled by Oisin Mullin of the Cats during the round ten AFL match between Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide Power) v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, on May 17, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

With 36 AFL games under his belt, Mullin continues to look increasingly comfortable at the top level and has done plenty of important things for the Cats throughout 2025.

Thrust into a tagging role for the first time this year, Mullin's best outing came in Round 10 when he blanketed Port Adelaide star, Zak Butters keeping him to just 20 disposals and three clearances which was his lowest totals of the season in both categories to that point.

The Irishmen also did effective jobs on players like Nick Daicos and Touk Miller, relishing the opportunity to line-up on some of the best players in the competition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Nick Daicos of the Magpies is tackled by Oisin Mullin of the Cats during the round eight AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

"I had a bit of a laugh about this with Zach and Mark, saying it is kind of like the Irish transition into the AFL that you eventually get that tagging role," Mullin said with a smile.

"I started as a lockdown defender, then picked up more of a tagging role which at first just seems like you are trying to takeaway from other players.

"But it also gives an opportunity to learn from the best in the game, to see how they manage to make space and find the ball in such high pressure situations. I am just trying to take little bits from that and those players.

"Then just in my own game, constantly trying to develop my skills and craft.

"Obviously I am nowhere near the finished package, hopefully I can keep developing on that and keep building, keep learning and develop the fundamentals around craft."

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