Hawthorn ruckman Ned Reeves believes James Worpel will return to his best in 2023.
Worpel broke out in his second AFL season in 2019, winning the Hawks’ best and fairest after averaging over 26 disposals.
Since that season the midfielder hasn’t quite hit the same heights, enduring indifferent 2020 and 2021 seasons before finding himself in the VFL last year.
After recovering from the shoulder injury sustained late last season, Worpel is primed to force his way back into the Hawthorn midfield says teammate Reeves.
“‘Worps’ didn’t have the year he wanted last year but so far from what I’ve seen he’s back to his best,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think he can really get back to that 2019 Peter Crimmins form he had.”
Worpel was restricted by form and injury last year, playing just 11 games, but is set to be a central figure in Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara-less midfield where he will work closely with Reeves.
The 24-year-old tall, who signed a three-year deal on Wednesday, is excited by the youthful on-ball bridge and has been particularly taken by no.7 draft pick Cameron Mackenzie.
“The other one is Cam Mackenzie, our first pick in the draft last year,” he added.
“He is flying, he’s a gun.
“We’ve got quite a few young players now. I think I’m almost the oldest in the midfield which is weird, except Karl (Amon) who has just come in.
“It’s actually quite exciting. Jai Newcombe, my housemate, we’ve got a pretty good connection.
“We’ve got ‘Worpy’, brought in Cooper Stephens, Josh Ward who is killing at at the moment.
“We’ve got quite good young talent, I think we’ll surprise a few people in there.”
Reeves gave some insight into how the midfield will work under the watchful eye of head coach Sam Mitchell and midfield coach David Hale.
“Sam has some very strong feedback when it comes to how the midfielders want the ball, which is always good,” he said.
“We do a lot of work with David Hale. Having a ruckman as a midfield coach has been the best thing ever because ruckmen are clearly the smartest people on the team.
“We do a lot of work with touch and connection with the mids. That’s something that I’ve always prided myself on with hit-out to advantage percentage.”
The Hawks meet Geelong (February 23) and Collingwood (March 2) in practice matches before opening the season proper against Essendon at the MCG on March 19.