James Worpel Biography

James Worpel is confident he will find a place in the Cats' midfield in 2026 after his move from the Hawks.

"It was probably my most injury-riddled year, which was annoying and probably not good timing with the contract and everything," Worpel said of his 2025 season with Hawthorn.

"Footy is not forever and opportunities like this don't come around very often.

"I'm good enough to be playing in the midfield at Hawthorn, and I think I'll be good enough to play here as well."

James Worpel joins Geelong as a free agent, with the Hawks receiving an end-of-second round pick as compensation.

"We're really pleased to welcome James to the Cats," Geelong executive general manager of football Andrew Mackie said.

"James is a quality person and player who we believe will complement our current playing group. We're looking forward to seeing him in the hoops in 2026."

James Worpel is set to join Geelong as a free agent. As a restricted free agent, the Hawks will have up to three days to match a bid or let him head to the Cats on a four-year deal.

James Worpel will be out for several weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in a tackle during the Hawks' Opening Round win over Sydney.

James Worpel will begin pre-season training a fortnight ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery in July.

James Worpel could miss the rest of the 2022 season after dislocating his right shoulder against the Giants. Scans have confirmed Worpel will require a shoulder reconstruction.

Ben McEvoy is the Hawks' surprise choice as captain for the 2021 season with Jaeger O'Meara to serve as vice-captain.

James Worpel is a new addition to the new-look leadership group and joins existing members Liam Shiels, Jack Gunston and Tom Mitchell.

"To be voted in by my teammates and receive the support of the club is an honour," McEvoy said.

"This club has given me a lot over the years, and I see this as an amazing opportunity to give back and play my role in ensuring we continue to make the Hawthorn family proud."

James Worpel becomes the youngest winner of the Peter Crimmins Medal in 48 years after being named Hawthorn's club's best and fairest for 2019 at just 20 years old.

Worpel polled 115 votes to win from revitalised winger Ricky Henderson (104) and fellow young star Jaeger O'Meara (103).

James Worpel will remain at Hawthorn until at least the end of 2021 after signing a new two-year deal.

"It's more about my consistency now and trying to hold that spot in the 22, which would be nice, for the rest of 2019," Worpel said about his goals moving forward.

"But there are other boys putting their hands up so it's going to be competitive."

James Worpel admits he did not have the best finals campaign in 2018.

"I did struggle a bit in my two finals. Finals is a completely different ball game," Worpel said.

"I learned from that and just to be exposed to it; hopefully I'll be around the team at the end of next year to make up for it."

Worpel has not forgotten his forward-50 turnover to Nathan Jones in the last four minutes of Hawthorn's semi-final against Melbourne.

"It's haunted me enough already, so you've got to try and put it away a bit, but it does make you want to prepare better and want it more, so it will definitely be a driving force behind my pre-season," he said.

James Worpel earns the 2018 round 21 Rising Star nomination after collecting 23 disposals in Hawthorn's 11-point win over Geelong.

Worpel's highlight of the game was a hard-ball get running into Cats captain Joel Selwood to snatch the loose Sherrin, before delivering a left-handed handball that eventually set up a Jack Gunston goal.

Playing in just his fourth AFL game, James Worpel impresses Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson with 32 disposals, including 14 contested, in Hawthorn's 72-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

"We're still trying to find that group of players to help us get back up the ladder and challenge in the next couple of years," Clarkson said.

"That's why it was pleasing that someone like Worpel did well for us today."

James Worpel makes his AFL debut for Hawthorn with 13 disposals (6 kicks and 7 handballs), a mark and 3 tackles in a 35-point win over St Kilda.