List Mgmt. Welcome James Worpel - official a Cat

[Hamingja]

I think doing away with the sub and having five on the bench will either lead to playing a second ruck on the bench or an extra midfielder.

I don't think teams will use the extra spot on a second ruck. Some dumb ones might to start with but as soon as someone gets KO'd in the first 10 minutes you are going to be 2 runners down for the whole game against a team that doesn't play a second ruck. Good luck with that.

 

[And_ROOS]

I want to believe this but what's the argument?
I can see him becoming even more a pure stoppage specialist than at the hawks.
Win first possession and get it out immediately by hand to the outside.
Forget about trying to be the kick i50.
We lose a bit of overall run but it gives Atkins a bit of a chop out so that he's fresher for finals.
A big weakness is getting caught in possession. I would tell him - we don't want you with ball in hand for longer than a split second. We want you as a contested beast. Look to give it off immediately. We will have the runners to support you. Get the ball in motion. Knock it out of congestion as quick as you can.
If he plays a narrower role and within his abilities, perhaps he gives us something.
I still would prefer to see what Stevens has to give in that role. But now that's he's here I'm behind him. Don't have any interest in being right on the internet. Just want to see us play friggin beautiful football.

Assume we get Marshall, who is also good at getting into the congestion and laying tackles and getting the handball out, Worpels best games this year and last year are games where he has high handball numbers and when he did go by foot it was long and direct. But Worpel is good at getting in and getting the ball, his second half of the year wasn't great but he was good the 2 years before that. If you have Worpel in the centre with a Holmes or Smith then he has a clear target to get the ball out to and his best games this year coincided with Will Day before he kept getting injured and his role changed.
I agree with you in seeing what Stevens can do because I rate him but I don't think they would end up the same type of player.

I think Bruhn can rotate through HF, he is a much classier player than Atkins or Worpel IMO. Even played his first 20-30 games at GWS as a small forward.

Bruhn wasn't great as a small forward at GWS though, the issue was he couldn't get into their midfield. He could potentially transition into a wing player but that comes down to what happened with his conditioning while he has been out of the game.

 

[cats_09]

Bruhn wasn't great as a small forward at GWS though, the issue was he couldn't get into their midfield. He could potentially transition into a wing player but that comes down to what happened with his conditioning while he has been out of the game.

With no playing but a good few months of training, and potentially the chance to get a lot of KMs into his legs with a running program, it'll be interesting to see if there's an improvement in endurance, or a move to the wing etc

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Yeah but I don't know he played super well as a small forward. Has he got the pace/endurance for half forward? We already have so many good half forwards i doubt we play him there.

Hes definitely got the pace to play half forward the only issue is he would need to develop his tank as in our system our half forwards push up as extras at stoppages so they have to cover a lot of ground endurance wise. But hes got the speed and skill to do it in a way worpel and atkins dont.

 

[And_ROOS]

Yeah but I don't know he played super well as a small forward. Has he got the pace/endurance for half forward? We already have so many good half forwards i doubt we play him there.

He wasn't good at GWS in that small/half forward role.

His best at GWS was when they gave him midfield crumbs, but he wasn't getting anywhere near enough time.

And its no surprise he looked pretty good in our midfield when he went straight in there.

I would hope while he has been out of the game he has been absolutely getting to work behind the scenes so he hits pre-season and starts putting up some PBs. Easiest way to get the fans onside is come back and show you give a shit about playing after losing a season of your career.

Definitely interested in season a midfield of Bruhn, Smith and Atkins. That covers a lot of midfield bases.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

He wasn't good at GWS in that small/half forward role.

His best at GWS was when they gave him midfield crumbs, but he wasn't getting anywhere near enough time.

And its no surprise he looked pretty good in our midfield when he went straight in there.

I would hope while he has been out of the game he has been absolutely getting to work behind the scenes so he hits pre-season and starts putting up some PBs. Easiest way to get the fans onside is come back and show you give a shit about playing after losing a season of your career.

Definitely interested in season a midfield of Bruhn, Smith and Atkins. That covers a lot of midfield bases.

The endurance factor is the biggest thing with Bruhn.

He spends 10 minutes a quarter looking like Butters, and the remaining 20 looking like Jackson Sheringham. He just gasses out so quickly.

Most of us have (rightfully) given him a pass so far due to his youth, but that 'excuse' of sorts will start to fall on deaf ears over the next year or two as he's getting older.

It must be said though, he probably does deserve a pass on form for the first couple months of 2026.

I don't care if he's been training, it's bloody tough coming in after not playing for a year, particularly under the horrible circumstances he's faced with the mental toll that takes on all involved.

 

[dudusmaximus]

Yes indeed. Chaos Ball Worpel has a bit of a ring to it.

and manic tackling.. Look forward to opposition players being warped worped out of shape.

 

[And_ROOS]

and manic tackling.. Look forward to opposition players being warped worped out of shape.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

A parting gift - the best of Worpel (not mine):

 

[standupand]

A parting gift - the best of Worpel (not mine):

Pity the number 38 is taken. He seemed to go ok in that jumper.

 

[Sticksman]

I'm impressed with his ability to remain standing and he does have a decent 60 metre hoof.

 

[JackFlash]

Worpel is a very good player, good skills and hard at the ball, just what the Cats need at this time, with Marshall also coming in 2026 they may have fixed some glaring weaknesses? I still think they must hang onto Clohesy and Stevens though!

 

[cats_09]

Looking good James

 

[cats_09]

Does anyone know if Worpel goes by Jimmy or is it James?

 

[ChrisLOA]

 

[Sticksman]

Seems like a nice guy. He's a great addition to our list.

 

[standupand]

Does anyone know if Worpel goes by Jimmy or is it James?

Jimmy would be good. Then if we pronounce the "Worp" kinda like "Bart" it will be seamless.

 

[00VicWard001]

Gryan is happy.

View attachment 2446258

Worpel will lift with Miers around. The sum of these two together will be like Hawkins and Duncan.

 

[Hinkley29]

With no playing but a good few months of training, and potentially the chance to get a lot of KMs into his legs with a running program, it'll be interesting to see if there's an improvement in endurance, or a move to the wing etc

Imo, Bruhn is a lottery from here on. He has been out of the game for a full season, the game evolves very quickly and he now has to catch up. That is without mentioning that he was a fringe player before the enforced break and has gone through a life changing experience.

I have no expectations for his contribution going forward.

 

[ChrisLOA]

Imo, Bruhn is a lottery from here on. He has been out of the game for a full season, the game evolves very quickly and he now has to catch up. That is without mentioning that he was a fringe player before the enforced break and has gone through a life changing experience.

I have no expectations for his contribution going forward.

Bruhn has a point to prove. He will be back with a vengeance.

 

[Hinkley29]

Bruhn has a point to prove. He will be back with a vengeance.

What is your basis for this belief?

 

[ChrisLOA]

What is your basis for this belief?

What's the basis for your negativity?

EDIT: I'll add that he may feel he did nothing wrong and had to miss out on not just a year of footy but also a Grand Final berth. I have read an allegation on another forum that he intends to sue people for their involvement for standing him down. He may genuinely feel aggrieved and wronged. A person like that could bring a very strong attitude next season.

 

[cats_09]

Imo, Bruhn is a lottery from here on. He has been out of the game for a full season, the game evolves very quickly and he now has to catch up. That is without mentioning that he was a fringe player before the enforced break and has gone through a life changing experience.

I have no expectations for his contribution going forward.

Unfortunately we see players every year miss 12 months due to significant injuries like ACLs, and some return like they've missed no football while others take time to find their feet

Obviously Bruhn hasn't been out with an injury, but something of an advantage he has over those who miss 12 months with injury is that he's been able to maintain a level of involvement with training and inclusion around the squad. He had completed pre-season through to February and was then back training with the squad come May - so while he's missed a season of competitive football, he hasn't missed out on 12 months of doing the basics and being in a position to maintain a certain level of fitness


To link this back to James, it doesn't mean there isn't going to be balancing act with how he fits in alongside Worpel, Atkins etc

 

[you pick one]

A parting gift - the best of Worpel (not mine):

That's how I like my spuds.

 

[cats_09]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/geelong-signing-james-worpel-on-why-he-joined-the-cats/news-story/65d174b26e8f54183098e1aef8659432