Despite spending the majority of his career so far draped in different colours, there is no doubt that this weekend will be a special one for James Worpel in the blue and white Hoops. 

Now into his ninth AFL season, Worpel is set to reach the 150th game of his career on Sunday after earning a recall to Geelong's team, as they prepare to take on West Coast at Norwood Oval. 

Fittingly, the boy from Bannockburn grew up just down the road from GMHBA Stadium and was certainly familiar with the blue and white, after representing the Geelong Falcons for several years before earning his AFL opportunity.

Playing most of his junior career between Bell Park and Bannockburn, the allure of returning home proved strong for Worpel as he returned home at the end of 2025, now set to bring up his first milestone in the Hoops on Sunday afternoon. 

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 6: James Worpel of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 AFL Opening Round match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats at People First Stadium on March 6, 2026 in the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

After a stellar junior career, Worpel's AFL journey commenced at the 2017 National Draft when he was selected by Hawthorn with pick No. 45. 

He would waste no time making an impression with the Hawks, earning his AFL debut in Round 6 of the 2018 season and going on to play 11 games, including two Finals in his inaugural season. 

It would be the start of an impressive stint for Worpel, going on to feature in 148 games with Hawthorn across eight seasons. 

Among his accolades, Worpel won a club best and fairest and earned selection in the 22under22 team, both achievements coming in 2019 which was just his second season in the AFL. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Karl Amon of the Hawks and James Worpel of the Cats embrace during the 2026 AFL match simulation between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Kennedy Community Centre on February 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

But despite his connection up the highway, an opportunity beckoned at the end of 2025 to return to the club that he grew up supporting and it proved to be too good to pass up. 

Worpel signed with Geelong as a restricted free agent on the opening day of the player movement period, joining the Cats on a four-year deal. 

After a brilliant pre-season that caught the eye of his new teammates and coaches, Worpel earned his Cats debut right away in 2026 and featured in Geelong's Opening Round clash against Gold Coast. 

He finished with 17 disposals, 11 tackles and nine clearances against the Suns, but then unfortunately suffered a finger injury which saw him miss a brief period of time, before returning via the VFL. 

On the back of some impressive performances with Geelong's VFL team, Worpel earned a recall to the Cats' AFL side for Gather Round and is set to play his 150th game on Sunday against West Coast.