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

 

[Upgrayedd]

Sometimes it’s really just that simple. You know the bloke is of good character; intent to stay until his free agency period despite Geelong being his first love.

Valued contributor gets opportunity elsewhere which he might not get at club

Do you

1-wish him the best, let him walk because it's the best thing to do for him knowing football is a big industry and fighting it to get an extra second round pick is not worth the hassle and stress for the dude and his manager

Did all we could to help him move club bar giving him the captaincy

 

[Upgrayedd]

He was stuggling to get a game a year or two ago

When did this happen?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

You know Hawthorn offered him the same $$$ to stay, right?

They didn’t.

 

[Cactus_]

Band 4 seems a bit rough

 

[TiAn_]

Seems like a massive bargain for Geelong, he’s much better than many of the other players moving teams this year.

 

[HairyO]

Band 4 seems a bit rough

When you look at what some clubs are paying for good but not great, injury prone players - Geelong got an absolute bargain.

I think we were expecting band 3 which is only 4 spots better.

 

[DERO]

I told you Abasi!

 

[kreuze_missile]

Band 4… wow.

Meanwhile JSOS gets a 1st round pick.

Wowza.

 

[CatsDan]

Seems like a massive bargain for Geelong, he’s much better than many of the other players moving teams this year.

You’d back him in to go to the next level under our system and program. Especially with the flexibility that we offer, it won’t be as regimented as what his been use too.

 

[Vindicater]

You’d back him in to go to the next level under our system and program. Especially with the flexibility that we offer, it won’t be as regimented as what his been use too.

So does your main midfield now run Atkins, Worpel and Smith/Holmes switching between wing and inside mid?

 

[BuddysBiggestFan]

How do Draper and Silvagni get compensation pick 20 and 21 while Worpel gets us pick 41? Pick 42 for a player that has played nearly every game since being drafted while the other 2 have been mostly injured this year. ****ing shafted by the AFL once again.

 

[Jeremy McLovin]

How do Draper and Silvagni get compensation pick 20 and 21 while Worpel gets us pick 41? Pick 42 for a player that has played nearly every game since being drafted while the other 2 have been mostly injured this year. ****ing shafted by the AFL once again.

Number of games played this year is not a factor in the compensation pick.

 

[BuddysBiggestFan]

Number of games played this year is not a factor in the compensation pick.

How about the fact he’s a much better player than the other 2?

 

[SSSSSS]

Came 20th in our B&F. Guess it shows where he was rated internally in 2025.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

How about the fact he’s a much better player than the other 2?

None.

Age
$$$
Years.

 

[Jeremy McLovin]

How about the fact he’s a much better player than the other 2?

Also not a factor.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Band 4… wow.

Meanwhile JSOS gets a 1st round pick.

Wowza.

Helps when your Dad is list manager arranging contracts...

 

[Spook]

Well if Franklins compo was pick 19, I guess pick 40 ish makes sense……. Hawthorn tax.

 

[Spook]

And by 2027 it would put him easily in the bottom 1/3 of age 25+ players. So he is being paid bugger all.

Paid bugger all above the table.

 

[Spook]

I think Worps move to Geelong is what FA is really for. Done his time at the club that drafted him and served admirably and simply a lifestyle driven move. Country boy originally from the Geelong region and probably at a stage of settling down and thinking family and kids. not for money or better chance of success (Hawks Cats similar) and not greed.
Good for him and for Geelong to give him that opportunity.