Josh Worrell Biography

Adelaide will encourage mid-season draftee Hugo Hall-Kahan to play on instinct and use all his weapons when the damaging half-back makes his debut against Geelong on Thursday night, just nine days after arriving at the club.

"You look at his form in the VFL, and he's certainly a good ball user and loves impacting the offensive side of things," backline coach Jack Hombsch said.

"I've been impressed with him so far and he does have that defensive intent and that mongrel as well, so that's been really pleasing."

Hall-Kahan, who averaged 27.7 disposals in the VFL this season, will have close mate Josh Worrell by his side in the Crows' backline on Thursday night, with the pair growing up together in Melbourne and attending Haileybury College.

They have been training partners during off-seasons in Melbourne, with Worrell playing a key role helping the new recruit fit in at West Lakes and taking him into his home.

"Josh has been amazing and is just stoked to have him here as well. You can't wipe the grin off his face when he's walking around the club, showing him around," Hombsch said.

"He's certainly taken ownership and made sure Hugo is comfortable and helped get him acclimatised."

Josh Worrell signs a two-year contract extension to remain with the Crows until the end of 2027.

Josh Worrell will miss at least two months after undergoing surgery on a fractured forearm.

Josh Worrell says he paid the price when he returned for his second pre-season well below AFL standard, but he enters his fifth pre-season in career-best shape.

"My first proper pre-season, I didn't come back in the nick I'd like to. I was pretty unfit and a long way off it, but in some ways I'm glad I did it," Worrell said.

"It was during that COVID year, I went back to Melbourne and I wasn't really training with anyone and probably didn't know what the standard was. Footy probably wasn't front of mind, so I was a bit lost.

"It was a tough time, but I think it really taught me a lot, so I know now that I'll never let myself get to that position ever again. It really just made me the individual I am today.

"Then last year I felt like I was really fit and I was getting into the right area of being more professional, but I did my hammy and that kind of offset my pre-season. Hopefully this year it can really all come together."

Josh Worrell faces an uncertain amount of time on the sidelines after re-aggravating a hamstring injury during the Crows' practice match against Fremantle.

Josh Worrell makes his AFL debut for Adelaide with 3 disposals (2 kicks and a handball) and 2 tackles in a 6-point win over St Kilda.