Arch-rivals’ bid fails as AFL young gun re-signs
Roger Vaughan |
The closest Essendon will come to claiming Josh Weddle is the red-and-black guernsey that was hanging above his head in the Hawthorn museum.
The 1905 relic with the red sash – from two decades before the Hawks joined the VFL – prompted a grin from the young gun on Wednesday when he fronted a media conference at the club to discuss his re-signing.
After weeks of speculation, Weddle rejected a massive seven-year offer from the Bombers, said to be worth $10 million, and signed a contract extension that will keep him at Hawthorn until at least 2030.
Weddle was coming out of contract this year and the new deal will take him through to free agency.
Given Hawthorn’s resurgence and the crucial role Weddle has played in their return to finals over the last two seasons, club and player will be aiming for at least one premiership by 2030.
“Ultimately it came down to where I wanted to play my footy and I feel like I play my best footy at Hawthorn,” Weddle said.
“I’m very happy that it went down the way it did.
“I didn’t really look into moving … where the club is heading, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Weddle’s rejection of the Essendon bid came after the Bombers, their arch-rivals, refused to budge in the trade period last year and rejected an offer from Hawthorn for captain Zach Merrett.
The new contract was expected – teammate Jack Ginnivan even said it was a done deal on Tuesday morning, before Weddle had signed.
“Clearly they (Ginnivan and Nick Watson) were already pre-empting it, but there were a few leaks,” Weddle said of his teammates’ awkward moment at an AFL press conference.
Asked if there was interest from other clubs, Weddle replied “good question” and said that was for his manager to answer.
When Hawthorn had a pre-season hitout on Monday against Geelong, Weddle spent plenty of time in the midfield.
Given the failure to lure Merrett and Will Day’s shoulder injury, Weddle is likely to spend more time in the middle at the start of this season.
It will be another string to the speedy utility’s already-impressive bow.
“I definitely think that’s in my kitbag. Obviously I have to keep learning and growing in that area, keep learning from the likes of (Will) Day and (Jai) Newcombe,” Weddle said.
“Obviously we get a little bit of stick about how … our weakest area of the ground is the midfield.
“But we’re going to prove people wrong this year, that we’re very strong in there. Hopefully I can add to that.”
Weddle said he spoke to the club psychologist in the midst of the negotiations over the new deal.
He also had to deal with stick from teammates, with news of the Essendon offer breaking while they were on a post-season holiday.
“It was a bit awkward at first because no-one wanted to break the ice and mention it,” he said.
“But once they did, they were just saying ‘your shout for dinner, your shout for breakfast’ – I copped it for a little bit, all fun and games.”
Weddle, 21, has played 60 games since his 2023 debut.
Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said Weddle was one of their hardest working players.
“He is an important part of what we are aspiring to achieve and we are extremely confident that his best is yet to come,” McCartney said in a club statement.
“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.”
AAP