Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel has earned his first MVP nod for the season after standing tall in his side's disappointing loss against Fremantle on Saturday.
Worpel finished the game with 25 disposals, six clearances, six score involvements, three tackles and 353 metres gained.
The hardened clearance winner has formed a key part of Hawthorn's on ball mix alongside Will Day, Jai Newcombe and Conor Nash, with the rebuilding side losing the clearance battle only twice all year.
After an interrupted 2022 season which saw him undergo a shoulder reconstruction, the 24-year-old is back to the type of form that once saw him claim the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2019.
Following the eight games so far this season, Worpel is averaging career-highs in contested possessions (12.9 per game), inside 50s (5.4), clearances (6.6) and score involvements (5.3).
According to Champion Data, Worpel now ranks as an 'above average' player again for contested ball and clearances.
Meanwhile, his AFL Player Ratings Points (13.9 per game) also rate 'above average' and are at career-best levels.
Watch Worpel's Round 8 MVP performance below.
