For any young aspiring footballer who grows up in Geelong, there is usually a dream of one day getting the opportunity to pull on the blue and white Hoops.
Having the chance to walk in the footsteps of legends under the lights at GMHBA Stadium, competing at the highest level in front of the adoring Cats faithful, it is a luxury that few are afforded.
But when the opportunity came knocking for James Worpel, the opening was simply too good to turn down.
After 148 games and eight years with Hawthorn, the tough on-baller made the decision to join Geelong as a free agent last week, adding valuable depth to the Cats midfield group heading into 2026.
Sitting down with Cats Media for the first time, Worpel said that it is an exciting prospect getting to play for the team he grew up supporting.
"I couldn't be happier, it has been a busy couple of weeks but I couldn't be happier to play for the blue and white," Worpel said.
"It is a team that I have supported for the majority of my life, I have so many good memories of watching and probably not so many good memories of playing.
"It is good to be all done and dusted. I think it was the right time for me and my partner, to get back home to my family and friends down here.
"It was too great to pass up."
A best and fairest winner and member of the 22under22 team earlier in his career, Worpel has carved out a solid resume since joining the AFL in the 2017 National Draft.
Originally from the Geelong area, the 26-year-old spent plenty of his junior career with the Bell Park Dragons, also a highly touted prospect after a strong stint with the Geelong Falcons.
Supporting the Cats throughout his junior years, Worpel said it was a surreal experience getting the chance to meet Chris Scott and Andrew Mackie.
"I have spoken to both of them," Worpel said.
"I was pretty nervous the first couple of times that I met them, but they both seem like great humans.
"To see Andrew Mackie in the flesh, growing up as a Geelong supporter was pretty special. I am super excited to get into it."
During his time with the Geelong Falcons, Worpel developed a strong connection with Gryan Miers and played a number of games alongside the crafty small forward.
In the final game of their junior careers, the 2017 TAC Cup Grand Final, the pair triumphed and won a premiership in a thrilling clash with the Sandringham Dragons. Worpel was the co-captain and helped steer his side to the top prize, while Miers kicked an incredible seven-goal haul in the Grand Final.
Reuniting with his old friend and teammate was a big reason behind the move, with the tough midfielder excited to line up alongside Miers once again.
"It is great, it was one of the big drawing points to come back home," Worpel told Cats Media.
"I played a lot of footy with Gryan [Miers], so I am keen to reunite with him and hopefully he kicks me the ball a couple of times and I can get a few touches.
"I am super excited to play with a lot of players here, it is such a great team and they have performed so well for a long period of time.
"I am keen to add some value and win some games, hopefully we can take it that one step further."
Worpel also touched on another player that featured in that famous TAC Cup Grand Final, Bailey Smith who featured for Sandringham.
"It was good to play in a premiership with Gryan, it was a long time ago so hopefully we can get another one. I am pretty sure he taught Bailey a lesson that day, I am sure he has let him know about it."
Adding another key piece to a developing and exciting Geelong midfield unit, Worpel said that he is looking forward to playing and learning from some of the game's top players in 2026 and beyond.
"I can't wait, there is a lot of great players in there," Worpel said.
"Obviously 'Danger' as well is a big one, to learn off him. I am still in the middle part of my career and I have still got such a huge amount to learn, to become a better player.
"I can't wait to pick their brains and see how they go about it, I am sure there is a lot of stuff to learn and game plans. I am super excited to get into it."
