AFL 2024: Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel on ‘bittersweet’ homecoming and ex-Cat Cooper Stephens
James Worpel found himself back in his hometown while on enemy territory. The Hawks star details his connection to the region and the progress of another Falcons graduate.
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It was a “bittersweet” homecoming for Bannockburn product James Worpel.
The Geelong Falcons export got reacquainted with the familiar surrounds of Waurn Ponds Deakin University’s lush oval.
Only this time the Hawthorn star was in enemy colours, given his side’s arch rivals have trained at the ground at stages this pre-season.
The Hawks are down in the Geelong region for a pre-season camp where they will ramp up their preparations for the 2024 season, with players also heading to Torquay for the next couple of days.
“It’s a bit of a weird one. Bittersweet for me, I love coming home. But yeah, we’re in a bit of enemy territory. Down here for a couple of days enjoying Torquay and enjoying the sun, so keen to get into it,” Worpel said.
Worpel has kept across his former club Bannockburn while at the Hawks as well as Modewarre, where his brother is captain.
“Always keep an eye on (Bannockburn) and my brother plays down at Modewarre Footy Club so he’s been the captain down there and he’s played for the last five years, maybe a bit longer,” Worpel said.
“I love coming back home and love coming down to country footy and super excited to get back down here.”
Worpel returned to the form of his breakout second-season in 2023, averaging 26.4 disposals and 6.5 clearances as a full-time midfielder.
“I think we’ve got a good core in there now with me, Jai (Newcombe), (Connor) Nash, and (Will Day). We are all pretty young and we’re going to stay in there and hopefully none of our spots get taken by the younger boys. But yeah, we’re super excited to go forward and to see what happens.”
One of those players who Worpel believes can challenge for spots in the midfield is fellow Falcons graduate Cooper Stephens.
The 23-year-old midfielder was traded from Geelong at the end of 2022 after an injury-ravaged three seasons at the Cats, where he managed seven senior games.
Stephens, who hails from Colac, was unable to break into Hawthorn’s side last year but had some strong performances in the VFL for Box Hill, averaging 18 touches and four clearances.
It looms as a big year for Stephens in the final year of his contract, and Worpel believes he can enter the selection frame.
“I remember Sam asked me a bit about him before we got him across from Geelong. I said, ‘yep he’s a hard worker, he does his job and we’d love to have him’, and luckily enough we got him,” Worpel said.
“He’s (been unlucky) with his injuries and stuff like that but he’s played some consistent footy towards the back end of the year and strong VFL footy so we are excited to see what he can do.
“He’s a really good clearance player so I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks his way into the round one team. We know what he brings, he can play up forward and kick a few goals and he had some really strong VFL performances last year. Obviously a local boy so hopefully he can crack his way into the team.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel on ‘bittersweet’ homecoming and ex-Cat Cooper Stephens
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