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Live sport on SN this weekendWhy King has young Hawk under the microscope for 2026
Harry Cumming • March 13th, 2026 1:35 pm
Josh Weddle has quickly become a key part of Sam Mitchell’s Hawthorn lineup and was recently locked in until the end of the 2030 season.
Having rejected a reportedly monstrous seven-year, $10 million offer last year from Essendon, expectations for the 21-year-old superstar are on the rise.
But it wasn’t the start to the season for Weddle that Hawthorn fans would have been anticipating, as the normally lively defender was relatively quiet with 14 disposals in the Hawks’ loss to the Giants in Opening Round.
It’s led to David King putting Weddle ‘In The Gun’ on SEN’s Fireball.
“I’m not going to muck around with the guys that are just hanging on for dear life, I'm going with blokes that are getting big cash and signing big deals. And I just want him to command a position,” King said.
“I think it's easy for us to look at Sam (Mitchell) and say, 'Hey Sam, why don't you just put him at halfback and leave him there and move someone else to cater for him, or if that's not working, then put him here'. At some point, the player needs to take responsibility for a position.
“Now you need the flexibility to be able to throw him around if the game demands that late in piece or late in quarter, but I just think after last weekend watching him fumble, look haphazard, look tentative, look lost, they put him back and he did a couple of really good things, but just take control of your own destiny with your own position.”
It sparked a discussion between Kane Cornes and King about whether it’s an overreaction after just one game of footy.
Cornes: "That is strong, which we love. I think it's harsh."
King: "Yeah, of course, cause you love Hawthorn."
Cornes: "I'm not for a second worried about Josh Weddle. He does not give me an ounce of wasted sleep. He’s going to be fine. So we disagree."
King: "What’s fine? He’s being paid to be better than fine."
Cornes: "He’ll be a top 15 player, top 10 in this league at some stage. Well, how old is he? He's young, and I don't think he has been helped."
King: "Helped by what?"
Cornes: "The question needs to be asked of Sam, 'At what point are you going to settle Josh Weddle down?'. Now, as I said during the week, I would give Lewis, Chol, and Dear an opportunity to emerge as the key forward. If not, go with one less, play Sicily forward, settle Weddle down across halfback, and then you'll get the benefit from that."
Weddle is listed on the interchange for Hawthorn’s clash against Essendon at the MCG which begins at 7:40pm AEDT.
