The stats

AFL games: 11

Disposals per game: 17.6

Marks: 2.1

Kicks: 8.6

Tackles: 3.9

Total goals: 5

Read: Schoenmaker's season snapshot

Review

Worpel arrived at Hawthorn with the 45^th overall pick in last year’s draft and a reputation as a big-bodied midfielder who loved the contest. 

In his 11 senior games this season, he lived up to that reputation completely.

Worpel earned a Rising Star nomination for his Round 21 performance against Geelong, where he embraced the contested style of game and collected 23 possessions and eight tackles.

But the 19-year-old’s first season at the club will likely be remembered by two outstanding moments.

First, in Round 20 against Essendon – the game was hanging in the balance with the Hawks leading by four points with under a minute to go.

Shaun Burgoyne pumped the ball inside 50 to a one-on-one contest between Worpel and Bombers defender Michael Hurley. Worpel outsmarted the All Australian defender to gather the loose ball and slot the match-clinching goal.

The second moment was a week later against Geelong. In a low-scoring affair against the Cats, Worpel’s thirst for the contest became very apparent.

A loose ball sat between a crowd of players, most notably Worpel and Cats captain Joel Selwood. The ball was there to be won and Worpel proved stronger at that moment, going harder and lower than the tough Cat to set up an important Jack Gunston goal.