Worpel earns his first Peter Crimmins Medal

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday 5 October

James Worpel has been crowned Hawthorn’s 2019 Peter Crimmins Medallist, capping off a breakout second season in the brown and gold. 

At 20-years of age, the talented-midfielder is the youngest player since Leigh Matthews in 1971 to be named Hawthorn’s best and fairest. 

Finishing the season with an average of 26.5 disposals, Worpel topped the count to finish clear on 115 votes, ahead of runner-up Ricky Henderson (104 votes) and third placed Jaeger O’Meara (103 votes) who sat one vote behind.  

Coming off the back of impressive seasons, defenders James Sicily (100 votes) and Blake Hardwick (90 votes) were praised for their hard-ball efforts, finishing the count at fourth and fifth, respectively.   

Taken with Pick 45 in the 2017 National Draft, Worpel quickly impressed coaches and made his AFL debut in the Hawks’ 35-point win against St Kilda in Round 6, 2018 at UTAS Stadium.  

Notching up 11 games in his first season, the youngster acquired an AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 21 and took home the title of Hawthorn’s Best First Year Player in 2018. 

Worpel played every game in 2019, cementing his spot in Hawthorn’s 22-man line-up and leading his team in disposals, clearances and contested possessions at season’s end. 

Worpel soared to new heights in Round 22 when he collected 34 disposals and 11 clearances in the side’s 70-point defeat over the Suns in Jarryd Roughead’s farewell game at Marvel Stadium. 

The promising ball-magnet closed his season on a high note as he averaged 30.4 disposals in his final seven games of the year. 

Other honours from the night went to emerging forward Oliver Hanrahan who received Best First Year Player and Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar who was deemed Best Clubman. 

Despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Round 18, Jarman Impey was awarded the club’s Most Consistent while Mitchell Lewis was judged Most Promising Player. 

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves has welcomed the evening’s results and sees a promising future ahead for the club.  

“Tonight’s Peter Crimmins Medal highlights the exceptional level of young talent rising through the ranks at Hawthorn,” said Reeves. 

“With five of our top six vote-getters aged 25 or under, the future for our club looks bright and it's clear the next generation of Hawthorn players are emerging and steering us towards our next piece of silverware.” 

“Well done to James on taking home his first Peter Crimmins Medal and congratulations to all of the award winners on stellar seasons.” 

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© RELEASED FOR HAWTHORN FOOTBALL CLUB 2019