Geelong snare hard-nosed Hawks midfielder; premiership Lion wants out

5 days ago 5

Hawthorn’s hard-nosed midfielder James Worpel will exercise his restricted free agency rights to return home to Geelong and play for the Cats next season.

Worpel, who grew up with eight siblings in nearby Bannockburn, joins this year’s losing grand finalists on a four-year deal to bolster a midfield headlined by Bailey Smith and Max Holmes. A source familiar with negotiations confirmed Worpel’s decision.

The ex-Geelong Falcon has told the Hawks he is leaving for the Cats, and departs after 148 games across eight seasons, including winning the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2019.

James Worpel celebrates a goal with teammate Jai Newcombe during a game against Collingwood in August.

Worpel, who turns 27 in January, was a consistently good performer for Hawthorn, but the Hawks are well-stocked in the midfield with Jai Newcombe, Will Day, Conor Nash and top-10 picks Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie.

They have also met with Essendon captain Zach Merrett as they try to add star power in the centre.

Worpel follows West Coast’s Oscar Allen and Essendon’s Sam Draper (Brisbane Lions), Carlton’s Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni (St Kilda), Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne), and Giant Jacob Wehr (Port Adelaide) in announcing his free-agency choice.

Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott re-signed despite Gold Coast’s interest, but fellow Magpie Brody Mihocek, Brisbane Lions defender Brandon Starcevich, and Sun Brayden Fiorini have not made their call publicly.

Mihocek is weighing up a three-year offer from Melbourne, West Coast have presented Starcevich with up to a six-year deal, which includes triggers, and both Essendon and Port Adelaide are pursuing Fiorini.

In other news, dual premiership-winning Lion Callum Ah Chee requested a trade to Adelaide, while Gold Coast’s Connor Budarick and Brisbane’s Deven Robertson want to play for Western Bulldogs and West Coast, respectively.
- Marc McGowan

Misson quits the Saints

Three AFL clubs are chasing a new football department chief after David Misson quit St Kilda on Wednesday.

Misson returned to the Saints in 2022 as high-performance manager alongside coach Ross Lyon, the pair having worked closely in Lyon’s first stint at the club that yielded grand final appearances in 2009 and 2010.

Dave Misson has left his role as the Saints’ head of football.

He was elevated into the role as head of football in 2023 after Geoff Walsh’s short stint ended abruptly.

Misson told the Saints he was keen to pursue opportunities outside of football in the high-performance and athlete development areas.

“To play a role in setting up the club for success in what is an exciting chapter ahead makes me incredibly proud, and I leave knowing the hard yards Ross and I have done have been worthwhile,” Misson said.

His departure means the Saints join the Gold Coast and Port Adelaide in searching for a new head of football. Wayne Campbell left the Suns to become the head of the Swans’ academy, while Chris Davies quit the Power after more than a decade in the role to join the Blues.

The Power had approached Geelong great Jimmy Bartel to take on the role, but family considerations meant Bartel, a prominent media figure who had also been a director of football with GWS, could not accept the role.

Misson has also worked at Cricket Australia, the Swans, the Demons and NRL side the Sydney Roosters. He penned a book titled The Bubble on the Saints’ 2010 campaign, which featured drawn and then losing grand finals to Collingwood.

His departure comes at a time when the Saints will welcome a bevy of fresh faces through the trade period, including former Blues Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, and Giants defender Leek Aleer.
- Jon Pierik

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.