Arch-rivals’ bid fails as AFL young gun re-signs

Roger Vaughan | February 18, 2026

Hawthorn have confirmed Josh Weddle’s re-signing, securing the AFL young gun to a four-year contract extension that will take him through to free agency.

Weddle, 21, was coming out of contract at the end of this season and Essendon had dangled a massive offer for the highly-rated utility.

After the Bombers knocked back their arch-rivals’ bid in the trade period last year to sign captain Zach Merrett, Essendon in turn tried to raid the Hawks with a seven-year offer to Weddle reportedly worth $10 million.

But Weddle will be at Hawthorn at least until the end of the 2030 season.

Weddle has played 60 games since his 2023 debut, including 18 last season, and has impressed in a number of different roles.

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.

“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.”