AFL news 2025: Hawthorn confident James Worpel will re-sign with the club

James Worpel has been linked to several Victorian clubs including Geelong, St Kilda and Melbourne. But Jon Ralph writes, Hawthorn are ramping up their own negotiations.

Hawthorn believes it is on track to lock down free agent James Worpel as the club ramps up negotiations on a new deal for the 26-year-old inside mid.

Worpel was exceptional against Melbourne on Saturday with Will Day out long term and Jai Newcombe tagged, racking up 28 possessions, 10 tackles and six clearances.

The club loves his character, leadership and on-field performances but he has been strongly linked to his home region of Geelong in recent months.

The 2019 best-and-fairest winner would expect a long-term deal of up to five or six years given his consistent performance since a down season in 2022 in which he played only 11 games due to form and shoulder issues.

James Worpel is in talks to re-sign at the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

And while the club and his management are still haggling on key contract details there has been strong recent progress.

In a thin free agency market Worpel could expect a significant pay rise in an era when quality inside midfielders can expect over $700,000 a season.

Hawthorn has not lost a required player in recent seasons apart from Tyler Brockman, who left for family reasons, but will have to respect the rival interest with a quality financial deal.

Worpel was fourth in the club’s best-and-fairest last year behind only Newcombe, Dylan Moore and Jarman Impey last year and has responded strongly after a low-level syndesmosis concern.

Worpel was Hawthorn’s best against Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The Hawks are one of the clubs in the hunt for Harley Reid and are a contender behind free agent Oscar Allan but that interest will not interfere with pushing hard for Worpel’s signature.

Young star Nick Watson is expected to sign a new deal in coming months that will take in his third mandatory season and likely an extension past 2026.

Calsher Dear, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Josh Ward and elders Luke Breust and Jack Gunston are among the club’s out-of-contract players.

D’Ambrosio is happy to continue putting together solid form before committing as he attempts to maximise his worth after a superb breakout season last year after crossing from Essendon.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has worked hard to build relationships with Eagles star Reid, who is seriously considering moving back east.

But the Hawks are also building elite young talent with Watson and Dear coming on well last year and first-round pick Will McCabe easing into the system as a key forward.

Originally published as AFL news 2025: Hawthorn confident James Worpel will re-sign with the club