“Best yet to come”: Hawthorn gun denies arch-rival interest to sign long-term

Hawthorn youngster Josh Weddle has penned a four-year extension, committing to the club until the end of 2030.

Weddle was heavily courted by Essendon, who put forward a mega offer worth $10 million over seven years.

However, the 21-year-old has denied the advances by the arch rival, remaining with the brown and gold for the long term.

"We are delighted that Josh has committed his future to Hawthorn, he is an important part of what we are aspiring to achieve, and we are extremely confident that his best is yet to come," Hawthorn EGM of Football Rob McCartney said.

"In the early years of his career, Josh has shown a capacity to produce some special moments that can change a game or lift his teammates back into the contest.

"While his explosive running power has been well documented, the evolution of Josh's game as a defender to playing on the wing, in the ruck and even up forward, highlights his versatility and selflessness to play any role required to make us better.

"Josh continues to be one of the hardest-working players at our Club who pushes his peers and drives the standards required to be at Hawthorn and we can't wait to see what the future holds."

Weddle has played 60 games after he was drafted with Pick 18 in the 2022 draft.

His athleticism, aerial prowess and burst has seen him turn into a defensive juggernaut for Sam Mitchell, who has begun flirting with pushing him further up the field, flagging a move to the midfield.