Player Watch Thanks for your service, James Worpel, pick #43 2017 - Peter Crimmins medalist 2019 - joins Geelong Cats 2025

[Simon Crawshay]

Wow that's an absolutely elite cohort of players that he is leading

If he maintains this form he would be a legit contender for a Brownlow (with Day injured and Newk out of form there won't be many to take votes from him).

Early days though of course.

 

[cryptor]

Needs to make sure to strap his shoulders really well if he's going to continue to carry the team on them.

 

[Hawkas1988]

In excellent form and carrying our midfield.

Also it needs to be said, he is one tough player, watching him put his head and body constantly in positions where he is going to get crunched but he doesn't care because he simply just wants to win the ball. Does it more than anyone in our side. You have to really respect someone like Worps.

 

[HWKR]

Wow that's an absolutely elite cohort of players that he is leading

If he maintains this form he would be a legit contender for a Brownlow (with Day injured and Newk out of form there won't be many to take votes from him).

Early days though of course.

He also seems to have risen to new levels of a composure with ball this year. There's been a number of moments in the first three games where he's exited a contested pack with the ball, and rather than getting a hurried boot to ball, he's been very impressive with his decision and execution.

 

[SSSSSS]

Love that Worps has been given license to launch them from 50.

Wish a few more players took the responsibility instead of a dinky handball or hitting the opposition defender in the chest.

 

[cryptor]

He also seems to have risen to new levels of a composure with ball this year. There's been a number of moments in the first three games where he's exited a contested pack with the ball, and rather than getting a hurried boot to ball, he's been very impressive with his decision and execution.

He used to be pretty stagnant around the contest. He'd get the ball flat footed and then he'd be wasting time getting moving from a stand still or be forced into a high dump kick.

Now he seems to always be on the move. When he gets it now he's able to burst away a lot easier which gives him a heap more breathing room. Not sure if he's also improved his acceleration on top of that.

 

[Fleabane]

Feels like a good time to celebrate just how tough and brave Worpel is at heart. Here's the old favourite.

 

[Coathanger]

He's certainly miles ahead in the PCM at present.

 

[Roddy]

I've seen him written off, people have said he's trade bait, just filling in time before we complete our midfield etc etc. It just goes to show how utterly ridiculous it is to write someone like him off, and how little football knowledge some people have.

If this is you, and you know who you are, give yourself several hard uppercuts.

 

[SSSSSS]

I've seen him written off, people have said he's trade bait, just filling in time before we complete our midfield etc etc. It just goes to show how utterly ridiculous it is to write someone like him off, and how little football knowledge some people have.

If this is you, and you know who you are, give yourself several hard uppercuts.

Kinda funny how 'tradebait' Worpel and 'not best 22' Frost are probably #1 and #2 in the PCM at the moment.

 

[earthworms]

You can tell worpel with 105 games looks like a class above the rest of our midfield. That only comes with games. Also, mckenzie has only 17 and looks like he will be a star. Once Day, Jai, Nash all reach 100+ games it will start to click and we will make finals.

Player	Worpel	Day	Jai	Nash	Meek	Ward	MacKenzie
Games	105	54	54	76	32	33	17

 

[grumbleguts]

3 weeks in he is the only player who was on the list last year who has improved his performance. Carrying the slack for other teaM leaders who have started the year terribly.

He’d be leading the B&F by a margin already and playing the type of footy he looked capable of producing when he won a B&F aged 20. Hopefully gets some support

I think Frost and McKenzie have improved as well.

 

[rei154]

You can tell worpel with 105 games looks like a class above the rest of our midfield. That only comes with games. Also, mckenzie has only 17 and looks like he will be a star. Once Day, Jai, Nash all reach 100+ games it will start to click and we will make finals.

Player	Worpel	Day	Jai	Nash	Meek	Ward	MacKenzie
Games	105	54	54	76	32	33	17

It's crazy to me that he only has 105 games experience.
Our midfield is still (imo) not a finished product, but the main thing it's missing is time.

 

[earthworms]

It's crazy to me that he only has 105 games experience.
Our midfield is still (imo) not a finished product, but the main thing it's missing is time.

With enough games everything will click

 

[Judd2Sewell]

You can tell worpel with 105 games looks like a class above the rest of our midfield. That only comes with games. Also, mckenzie has only 17 and looks like he will be a star. Once Day, Jai, Nash all reach 100+ games it will start to click and we will make finals.

Player	Worpel	Day	Jai	Nash	Meek	Ward	MacKenzie
Games	105	54	54	76	32	33	17

80 games seems to be the magical number.

 

[earthworms]

Also wanted to mention - Worpel absolutely shattered his 2022 slump, props to him.

 

[Roddy]

He seems to perform better when he's more of a focal point of the midfield - Titch out, steps up, has an awesome year, wins the PCM; Titch comes back, experiences a form slump; Titch leaves, but Duke and Day step up, has a solid year but not as good as his PCM year; Duke down a little on form and Day out, steps back up to career-best form.

Hopefully he'll settle in and play like this when one important cog in a firing midefield....

 

[earthworms]

He seems to perform better when he's more of a focal point of the midfield - Titch out, steps up, has an awesome year, wins the PCM; Titch comes back, experiences a form slump; Titch leaves, but Duke and Day step up, has a solid year but not as good as his PCM year; Duke down a little on form and Day out, steps back up to career-best form.

Hopefully he'll settle in and play like this when one important cog in a firing midefield....

Hope when day comes back and newc plays like he used to that worpel keeps his form.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

He's certainly miles ahead in the PCM at present.

Worps first and daylight second I agree.

Who would be second, maybe Weddle?

 

[Crankyhawk]

Worps first and daylight second I agree.

Who would be second, maybe Weddle?

Frost perhaps. Certainly up there for improvement.
Chol is also possible

 

[Roddy]

He's had no fewer than 27 possies in any game so far this year. Please let that continue.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Probably give him the mozz highlighting this but…. Elite!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne has handed down the top 10 players in the competition, with enough data after Round 4 to make a list early in season 2024.

Champion Data’s new ratings system works by analysing how far above or below expectation players have performed per 100 minutes, meaning all positions on the ground can be compared.




Check out the fresh rankings for 2024 below.

1. [PLAYERCARD]Isaac Heeney[/PLAYERCARD] (Sydney)

2. [PLAYERCARD]James Worpel[/PLAYERCARD] (Hawthorn)

“What might surprise is that [PLAYERCARD]James Worpel[/PLAYERCARD] has had the 2nd most impact with ball in hand of any player in the competition this year.

“Last year he was 64th in the competition, this year he’s 2nd. Whether or not he stays there who knows. But four games in, he’s flying.

 

[H00t]

Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne has handed down the top 10 players in the competition, with enough data after Round 4 to make a list early in season 2024.

Champion Data’s new ratings system works by analysing how far above or below expectation players have performed per 100 minutes, meaning all positions on the ground can be compared.




Check out the fresh rankings for 2024 below.

1. Isaac Heeney (Sydney)

2. James Worpel (Hawthorn)

“What might surprise is that James Worpel has had the 2nd most impact with ball in hand of any player in the competition this year.

“Last year he was 64th in the competition, this year he’s 2nd. Whether or not he stays there who knows. But four games in, he’s flying.

Biggest improvement for mine has been his kicking. Going at 60.7% by foot this year as opposed to 50% last year. Also up to 6 goal assists from 4 games compared to 8 from 23 last year.

Big challenge now is to keep it up

 

[earthworms]

We're going to have to cough up a lot for worpel and newcombe in 2025... It'll be worth it though.