Hawthorn star signs four-year extension after Essendon bid

Emerging Hawthorn star Josh Weddle has signed a four-year extension that will earn him close to $900,000 a season next year.

The club has confirmed the 21-year-old’s decision, which had come after Essendon made a bold bid for the powerful Hawk when the Bombers reportedly made a seven-year offer that would have earned him about $10 million to entice him from Hawthorn.

Weddle, who will be a free agent when he next comes out of contract, has made a huge impact since he made his debut in 2023 playing 60 matches in various positions.

Although he plays mainly in defence, his performance in the final quarter of last year’s elimination final when he was switched into attack against GWS turned the game Hawthorn’s way.

Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney said Weddle was a key part of their plans.

“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.”

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Weddle has been trialled in the midfield and on the wing, but he is expected to continue to build his game from defence where his withering runs and strength make him a dangerous opponent. Although he did not finish in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest in 2025, he is considered a matchwinner with a high ceiling.

Weddle was in demand during the 2022 national draft with the Hawks trading picks with Sydney to move up the draft order ahead of the Giants, who were also keen on the athletic youngster. He was selected with pick 18.

His signature before the season starts is a massive bonus for the club as they enter the season hopeful of making a serious tilt at the premiership after losing last year’s preliminary final to Geelong.

Their attempt to secure Essendon captain Zach Merrett during last year’s trade period failed when the Bombers refused to accept the offer of three first round picks for the contracted midfielder. They will be without star midfielder Will Day for the first three months of the season after he suffered a shoulder injury at training.

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However, with a strong defence and an exciting crop of young players they are expected to be contenders in September again with triple premiership captain Luke Hodge saying the gaps in the midfield presented players with a great opportunity to press their case.

“It’s an opportunity for [Cam] McKenzie or [Josh] Ward to step up and fill the void,” Hodge said.

“So many times over the year there has been an injury and someone who you never thought of could step up and really set up their career.”

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