Free Agency James Worpel - Joins Geelong as a Restricted Free Agent, Hawthorn receive Band 4 Compensation

[Jack Richards]

End of 2nd round compo pick is going Hawks way

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If he was going from Richmond to Carlton it would be very different. He may want a lifestyle change. Plus, the $ being offered may be the same but he likely picks up a $1 farm with the move.

I don't know that they're handing out $1 farms to just anyone.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Well that sounds like it’s worpels decision and not ours. I doubt we’d be offering a 4 year $700k+ contract to a player we plan on playing in the vfl

In year 1 no, in year 3?

 

[HairyO]

I don't know that they're handing out $1 farms to just anyone.

Would be quite the kick to the junk if a player moving to Geelong had to pay even close to market value for anything.

 

[Cleric]

No club has ever matched to keep a player

Its strange. In the US where FA is, the system is used for players to leverage more money from their existing team, while here its basically a trade.

 

[Burtman]

In year 1 no, in year 3?

Do you think the club has spoken to him and his management and said we’ll give you a 4 year contract but the last two years of that you’ll be playing vfl? He probably has just as much chance of being pushed out of Geelongs midfield in a couple of years too.

 

[FootyLad0]

Leverage and whatever aside it would seem pretty out there to match a guy that sounds like he's being pushed out. The contracts being materially similar also indicates he's just not in your plans.

I mean how likely do you think it is?

It’s not likely at all and it’s insane for anyone to think offering a guy a deal lower than expected is gonna mean all of a sudden they would want to match it.

I know there’s a certain trades board that has been repeatedly on this notion that “we should match so we get a first rounder from Geelong” but honestly they haven’t thought it through at all.
The compo pick would be MORE than what they’d get back in a trade.

Any negotiation would turn into, “you lowballed the guy, you don’t even want him, you can’t ask for anything of value in return that you don’t even value”

It would be cutting off the nose to spite the face.
If Mark McKenzie as list manager is as good as he has been touted, he’d make sure this runs smoothly.
He’d take end of first round compo and be happy.

 

[sexyhunk]

It’s not likely at all and it’s insane for anyone to think offering a guy a deal lower than expected is gonna mean all of a sudden they would want to match it.

I know there’s a certain trades board that has been repeatedly on this notion that “we should match so we get a first rounder from Geelong” but honestly they haven’t thought it through at all.
The compo pick would be MORE than what they’d get back in a trade.

Any negotiation would turn into, “you lowballed the guy, you don’t even want him, you can’t ask for anything of value in return that you don’t even value”

It would be cutting off the nose to spite the face.
If Mark McKenzie as list manager is as good as he has been touted, he’d make sure this runs smoothly.
He’d take end of first round compo and be happy.

add to the fact hawthorn are apparently into butters, patracca, reid, etc. aint no way they going to waste time negotiate a deal on a player they are luke warm in want to keep.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Do you think the club has spoken to him and his management and said we’ll give you a 4 year contract but the last two years of that you’ll be playing vfl? He probably has just as much chance of being pushed out of Geelongs midfield in a couple of years too.

Don't think it's something you'd have to say

 

[Burtman]

Wait so geelong are showing they want worpel by offering the same contract that hawthorn are but somehow that’s hawthorn lowballing and showing we don’t want him? It’s one or the other. If worpel leaves for the exact same contract that he would get at hawthorn, doesn’t that mean that it’s probably just worpel wanting a change of scenery or to go back home?

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Worpel is a very good inside midfielder but can’t really play anywhere else. Syndesmosis injury early in the season when he had a great 1st half and then the severe corkie has meant we haven’t seen the best of him this year. Was great in 2023/24 with improved ball use and when he gets back to that form he would compliment Smith and Holmes beautifully in the Cat’s midfield. Underrated player when fit and firing and right in his prime. I think we are not desperate to keep him because we are keen to get Mackenzie more opportunity and he is too similar to Newcombe and Nash leaving our midfield too one paced especially without Day. Obviously if a quality player has agreed to come across from another club Worpel would be the player most likely pushed out.

He’s not too similar to Newcombe tbh. Newcombe a much bigger human and also a lot more explosive and skillful. Nash has the height.

Worpel probably more similar to Nash but without the height, but added ball winning and ball use in comparison to Nash. Nash able to play a defensive role.

The big thing is not similarities it’s more so an addition of more pace and dynamic. Worpel and Nash’s issues are they do not have secondary positions they’re good in. Nash can ruck but doesn’t all the time and Worpel doesn’t really have one, maybe HF.

Atleast with Day and Newcombe they play mid and fwd well. Guess it’s the difference between A and B graders.

More opportunities will come for Mackenzie, Ward, Butler as mids, rotations with Moore & Watson. Hawthorn going hard for Petracca, Butters & Reid.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Worpel's one paced and quite an average user of the footy.
He's an excellent clearance winner and good tackler but he's such a limited footballer in today's era of footy.

He reminds me of Tom Atkins. Gets much more of the footy but these players are replaced the very moment they announce their retirement or are traded away.

Geelong are in a transitional phase where they need class. We have enough players similar to Worpel brewing in the reserves with Clark, Knevitt, Bruhn & Stevens, not to mention the guys already in the starting line-up in Atkins & Bowes.

I wouldn’t say he’s an average user. Last year he showcased that he’d developed a bit, his goal assists and ability to hit that last kick inside 50 were good. I’d say he’s not necessarily one paced either, as he is strong and can be explosive.

He had a good game last night which was good to see.

 

[Hamingja]

Its strange. In the US where FA is, the system is used for players to leverage more money from their existing team, while here its basically a trade.

Remove the compensation pick and a few more clubs might match!!!

 

[SSSSSS]

Remove the compensation pick and a few more clubs might match!!!

They should tie the compensation pick to what the current team is offering.

 

[HairyO]

They should tie the compensation pick to what the current team is offering.

And the best possible compo is end of 1st round.

If it was good enough for Buddy its good enough for any other player in the comp ever.

 

[Vindicater]

Remove the compensation pick and a few more clubs might match!!!

I agree.

 

[Wojcinski]

why is this up to 12 pages, we don't want this guy, he is ass

 

[HairyO]

why is this up to 12 pages, we don't want this guy, he is ass

The farm plot has already been staked. Sorry.

 

[Wojcinski]

The farm plot has already been staked. Sorry.

Farm? He'll get a back unit on a battle axe block in Norlane

 

[SSSSSS]

Farm? He'll get a back unit on a battle axe block in Norlane

They'll give him Enright's pub.

 

[HairyO]

They'll give him Enright's pub.

He will know to avoid Ling's pub.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Honestly don't mind either way.

Has been poor recently but was very good before his injury earlier in the year and even last year.

All I will say there is if he does go I want us to have someone else lined up

 

[aussierulesrules]

Wait so geelong are showing they want worpel by offering the same contract that hawthorn are but somehow that’s hawthorn lowballing and showing we don’t want him? It’s one or the other. If worpel leaves for the exact same contract that he would get at hawthorn, doesn’t that mean that it’s probably just worpel wanting a change of scenery or to go back home?

If both these teams are offering him the same contract, it suggests that Geelong are actually the ones “low-balling” him, if anyone, not Hawthorn, as you usually have to offer MORE to get a guy out of another club, than his own club is offering. Most dudes stay at their own club for less than they can get elsewhere.

So if anyone who barracks for Geelong is suggesting that it’s Hawthorn who are low-balling him, they’re projecting.

 

[Elixuh]

The farm plot has already been staked. Sorry.

We joke, but from what I heard earlier in the year its not far from the truth.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Yuk
Worpel

 

[Xtreme]

Yuk
Worpel

Oh please its Isaac Smith all over again. You hate him but as soon as the Cats jumper is on, totally different story!