James Worpel has settled into a midfield role at Geelong not that dissimilar to that he played for years at Hawthorn, including a best-and-fairest medal. He lined up at times last week on a wing, though, highlighting the requirements at the Cattery to be flexible enough to play both contested and uncontested footy depending on the circumstances. The coalface is his specialty, with the knock on him always being his disposal skills and decision making, so his trips to wings and flanks should be fleeting if Chris Scott wants to get the best out of him, but he can be serviceable in the right role.
James Worpel has settled into a midfield role at Geelong not that dissimilar to that he played for years at Hawthorn, including a best-and-fairest medal. He lined up at times last week on a wing, though, highlighting the requirements at the Cattery to be flexible enough to play both contested and uncontested footy depending on the circumstances. The coalface is his specialty, with the knock on him always being his disposal skills and decision making, so his trips to wings and flanks should be fleeting if Chris Scott wants to get the best out of him, but he can be serviceable in the right role.
James Worpel is a popular mid-priced pick for salary cap fantasy in 2023, a former club best & fairest winner who has never recaptured that 2018 form and spent a lot of time in the magoos. A much better preseason and a vote of confidence by coach Sam Mitchell in the press has lifted his job security, and with the off-season cleanout of senior mids he has a shot to re-enter the best 22 for the Hawks. The knock on him has always been that his disposal quality is poor, but the biggest problem for Hawthorn this year is going to be getting the footy in the first place.
James Worpel has had a quiet start to 2021 in statistical terms, but he has also been given run-with roles on the opposition's best midfielders at times as well. It's hard from the outside to tell which came first, but it is clear that Alastair Clarkson is trying to turn him into the defensive midfielder that Liam Shiels has been for so many years at Hawthorn, a role which every good team needs to fill with a solid both-way contributor. This position tends to limit a player's fantasy scoring floor, as sometimes his target requires full attention, but on other days big scores can result.
James Worpel has gone under the radar a bit this year, coming off a best & fairest win but now under the shadow of the returning Tom Mitchell and the higher profile of Jaeger O'Meara in the Hawk midfield. As a fantasy asset, he is probably not going to be hitting the heights he did last year but he also will get less attention, making him an interesting play in daily fantasy formats. Hawthorn have been even more hot and cold than the rest of the competition this year, so his floor is poor, but his ceiling is high if the game suits his style.
Direct hit by Worpedo
Preseason injury to Tom Mitchell meant that younger players had to step up in the Hawks midfield, and James Worpel grabbed the opportunity to enjoy a stunning second season culminating in the Peter Crimmins Medal. The Worpedo dropped below 20 disposals just once and reached the top ten in the league for clearances, plus top 20 for contested ball. He finished the season with a wet sail, gathering 30 or more possessions in five of the final seven matches. Worpel has hit serious heights from day one and the only query remaining is where his ceiling levels out at. With Mitchell expected to return in early fixtures, this looms as a similar situation as when Zach Merrett had his breakout during the Bomber drug suspensions - a test which Zerrett passed with flying colours. Worpel has both upside and downside potential so a middle round selection would split the difference, though a setback to Mitchell would see the younger man vault up the draft boards.
James Worpel was a popular fantasy pick in 2019 preseason due to a lot of glimpses of his potential last season, plus the added responsibility of having to make up for Tom Mitchell's output following the latter's January leg break. He has not disappointed, with his first half of round 2 in particular rivalling anything put out by Titchell last season. Durability is always the worry with such a young player, and his owners will be hoping he can keep up that rate for another month or two at least before they start looking elsewhere.
Worpedo locked and loaded
Debuting early in 2018 to little effect, James Worpel seized a second opportunity upon recall and played the final eight matches including both finals. Splitting time up forward and on ball, Worpel became a fan favourite with his match winner against the Bombers. A natural ball winner at junior level, the young Hawk broached 20 disposals in four of his last six home & away games, and won well over two clearances per game with limited opportunity. Suited to the hustle and bustle of the stoppage, it appears possible that Worpel may be the most suitable option out of those available to coach Alastair Clarkson for the role vacated by the injured Tom Mitchell. Having improved on his kicking markedly since his final junior year, continued development in this facet of the game will lend himself to greater responsibility. Available as a forward, pounce if the Worpedo is available in the latter half of the draft.
Sheathe the Worpel sword
Rated amongst those most ready-made from the 2017 draft class, James Worpel's value dropped in his final junior season, failing to reach the heights of the previous campaign which had experts claiming he had top ten talent. The main knock on James has been his decision making, highlighted by 43% kicking efficiency at the Championships. While Worpel failed to meet his lofty standards, he still had a tremendous CV accumulating MVP and All-Australian honours in 2017. As coach Alastair Clarkson looks to replenish the midfield, it would be reasonable to expect this youngster will receive opportunity. However, it is likely that he will fail to merit fantasy selection.
