The lure of returning home was always there for James Worpel. 

Even after eight seasons up the highway with Hawthorn, the thought of one day pulling on the blue and white Hoops was always an enticing prospect. 

When the opportunity came up to play for the club he grew up supporting, Worpel jumped at it and signed as a free agent with Geelong at the conclusion of the 2025 season. 

Along with the chance to move closer to home, Worpel said he was also drawn by the strong culture and environment that Geelong has built over an extended period of time. 

"Obviously you speak throughout the year, they didn't really pitch anything to me," Worpel said. 

"I knew what the club was about, I knew what the culture was about and I knew what the environment and the location was as well.

"It wasn't really a big pitch, it was just getting to know each other and seeing if we could make a deal.

"It is such a good club, that was one thing that I really wanted to make sure was that I was coming to a good strong club, with a good history and the potential to play in Finals and Grand Finals."

Now back into pre-season training, Worpel will get the chance to work alongside Geelong's esteemed coaching staff, including new addition Nathan Buckley. 

But it was another assistant coach that the recruit noted he was looking forward to learning from, as he gears up for his inaugural season in the Hoops. 

"Yeah it will be good, I think there are a few coaches at the footy club that I am keen to work with," Worpel said. 

"James Kelly is one of them, being a Geelong supporter he was such a great player.

"But the whole coaching staff is going to be great for me, I haven't been in and around them enough to really pick their brains yet.

"I am super excited to see what they have got for me."