The 2023 AFL season has well and truly ticked into the business end of proceedings, and with that, the on-field activity becomes increasingly captivating.
Discussion and debate about the state of umpiring, dangerous tackles and the MRO, 'wildcard' finals formats – and everything else of the like – has dominated the league's agenda to this point in the year.
However, as we edge excitedly closer to the flag-deciding matchups of this year, we also creep closer to the off-season; signalling free agency and trades!
As is the case every season, an array of appealing talent is potentially up for grabs.
In this three-part series, we're not necessarily analysing each club's biggest or most popular off-contract names. Rather, we've examined every squad's most intriguing crop of players whose contract situations provoke curiosity.
So, without further ado, let's explore the next six teams and their off-contract assets.
4. Hawthorn
James Worpel
Worpel's falling out of favour with Hawthorn's match committee last season meant his 2023 campaign shaped as a significant one in terms of determining his future at the Hawks. However, considering the bounce-back effort he's put forward this year, it's difficult to envisage Worpel not remaining at Waverley post this season.
Coach Sam Mitchell's Hawks have seen the continued emergence of Irishman Conor Nash in the midfield, adding promisingly to the flavourful combination of contested bull Jai Newcombe, defending hybrid Will Day, sophomore left-footer Josh Ward, and exciting draftee Cameron Mackenzie.
Worpel's talents have complemented that mixture this season, as the 24-year-old has obliterated his 2022 season averages, going at 26.3 disposals (up from 15.4 in 2022), 2.3 marks (1.8), 4.1 tackles (2.2), 5.4 inside-50s (3.0), and 6.3 clearances (2.9) per game this year.
The one-time Peter Crimmins medallist offers Mitchell's side quality depth, leaving Hawthorn's list committee likely to extend another Waverley deal to Worpel.
Chad Wingard
The medium-sized Wingard has seen his influence on games dwindle since his Port Adelaide days, yet is understood to be being paid in the realm of $700,000-800,000 this season, according to a Herald Sun report.
It's an inordinately lucrative amount for Wingard, who, at this stage in his career, categorically doesn't produce enough on a game-to-game basis to demand that lofty price tag.
He has averaged 0.8 goals per game thus far this season and has ticked over 30 years of age. Does he fit Hawthorn's youthful age demographic under Mitchell?
Either way, fellow goalsneak Luke Breust, who is two years Wingard's elder, has booted 30 more goals than Wingard in just five more games in 2023. The discrepancy in output can't be ignored and should be a critical part of Hawthorn's off-season list consideration.
Should Wingard and the Hawks part ways at the end of the year? A third club for Wingard – potentially one that sees itself in the premiership window next season and beyond – may be beneficial for him in terms of achieving a late-career rejuvenation.
Jacob Koschitzke
Koschitzke is another whose Hawthorn future could be cloudier than some may think.
After going scoreless in his first three outings this year, he managed three goals in Round 13's shock win over Brisbane but followed that up by going scoreless again in a trouncing at the hands of the Suns. He's kicked just six goals in eight games.
The rangy forward needs to produce more than he has to this point to inspire enough confidence in the Hawks' list committee to tender a deal offer beyond this season.
He hasn't played for Hawthorn since the Suns game and has only managed 44 career outings since being drafted in 2018.
Considering Mitch Lewis' continued ascension, as well as an SEN report that claimed the Hawks are eyeing GWS' Jake Riccardi, Koschitzke may find himself expendable at year's end.
Tyler Brockman
Brockman has flashed promise during his short time as a Hawk, playing 15 games this season thus far, displaying forward-half defensive pressure in addition to his goal-face threat.
While his goal production isn't a finished product, the 20-year-old has been promising enough to suggest he has a lengthy AFL future, since arriving at Waverley from Subiaco following the 2020 National Draft.
Albeit, whether that future remains at Hawthorn, or elsewhere, is a different story.
Brockman, out of contract at year's end, is understood to be 'weighing up' his footballing future, with the West Coast Eagles thought to be a potential destination club considering his West Australian origin.
Hawthorn has since been linked to Eagles livewire Liam Ryan, consequently fuelling questions about Brockman's future.
