Hard-at-it Hawk James Worpel has received a glowing endorsement from teammate Isaac Smith after an impressive debut in the Hawks’ win over St Kilda.

The Geelong Falcons recruit collected 13 disposals and laid three tackles in his first AFL match, with Smith praising the 18-year-old’s aggressive on-field approach and appetite for the contest.

“I think he pretty much just likes hitting people, tackling and the physicality of the game so it was really nice to get him in,” Smith told SEN Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

“He’s a good kid, he’s got a bit of confidence and he just backs himself in.

“So I think he’s a really good asset, a really good pick up by the recruiting team and he’s slotted into the club really nicely.”

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The triple premiership wingman said that the club’s most recent crop of draftees had all impressed so far, particularly with the level of confidence they’ve walked into the club with.

“Along with (James Worpel), the whole group that’s come in this year, they’ve got so much confidence,” Smith said.

“Usually your first years group sort of roll in and they don’t say boo for about a year or two.

“But this group that’s rocked in over the last six months they’re nearly the cockiest little group around the club which is good fun.”