Hawthorn midfielder “explored” by Victorian rival

Hawthorn free agent James Worpel has been strongly linked with a move to Geelong, but according to Channel 7's Mitch Cleary, a second horse has entered the race: Melbourne.

The Demons undoubtedly are looking to bolster their on-ball brigade, acknowledging a replacement for Jack Viney in years to come, whilst providing support to Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

The Cats' pursuit of Worpel comes as the 26-year-old grew up in Bannockburn, a town near Geelong, and featured in the Geelong Falcons in 2017.

The Hawks and Sam Mitchell boast one of the deepest on-ball lists in the competition, with a heap of youth emerging as the next crop of stars.

Fronted by Jai Newcombe and Will Day, Mitchell has players in Cam Mackenzie, Josh Ward, Finn Maginness, Henry Hustwaite, Conor Nash at his disposal, as well as forwards who could run through the middle.

They are also interested in Port Adelaide's Zak Butters.

"The Hawks are targeting midfield guns from other clubs," Cleary said on the Agenda Setters.

"James Worpel is a free agent. I don't expect Hawthorn to move heaven and earth to keep him. It won't be a six or seven-year deal like we see some other gun free agents get.

"I think it'll be more modest, and that will open the door for a club like Geelong, or even Melbourne, who are exploring James Worpel to pursue him even further."

It'll be an interesting watch as to what Melbourne does with the contracts of Petracca and Oliver, with both exploring fresh starts at the end of last year.

Seemingly, both have settled back into the club and appear to be enjoying their football, which 2024 didn't consist of.

The inclusion of Worpel into the Demons' line-up could help bridge the gap from the premiership stars to the most recent draftees (Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay), with Simon Goodwin indicating a keen eye on regenerating the club's list without bottoming out.