The Bombers tried to poach this star Hawk. He’s staying put for almost $1m a year

Hawthorn have locked in the prized signature of Josh Weddle ahead of the season as they prepare for another tilt at the flag. BreakingSportAFLAFL 2026The Bombers tried to poach this star Hawk. He’s staying put for almost $1m a yearBy Peter Ryan February 18, 2026 — 1.16pmSaveLog in, register or subscribe to save articles for later.Save articles for laterAdd articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.Got itNormal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text sizeAdvertisementEmerging Hawthorn star Josh Weddle has signed a four-year extension that will earn him close to $900,000 a season next year.The club has confirmed the 21-year-old’s decision, which had come after Essendon made a bold bid for the powerful Hawk when the Bombers reportedly made a seven-year offer that would have earned him about $10 million to entice him from Hawthorn.Josh Weddle is set to sign a deal tying him to the Hawks until 2030.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty ImagesWeddle, who will be a free agent when he next comes out of contract, has made a huge impact since he made his debut in 2023 playing 60 matches in various positions.Although he plays mainly in defence, his performance in the final quarter of last year’s elimination final when he was switched into attack against GWS turned the game Hawthorn’s way.LoadingWeddle has been trialled in the midfield and on the wing, but he is expected to continue to build his game from defence where his withering runs and strength make him a dangerous opponent. Although he did not finish in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest in 2025, he is considered a matchwinner with a high ceiling.Weddle was in demand during the 2022 national draft with the Hawks trading picks with Sydney to move up the draft order ahead of the Giants, who were also keen on the athletic youngster. He was selected with pick 18.His signature before the season starts is a massive bonus for the club as they enter the season hopeful of making a serious tilt at the premiership after losing last year’s preliminary final to Geelong.Their attempt to secure Essendon captain Zach Merrett during last year’s trade period failed when the Bombers refused to accept the offer of three first round picks for the contracted midfielder. They will be without star midfielder Will Day for the first three months of the season after he suffered a shoulder injury at training.AdvertisementLoadingHowever, with a strong defence and an exciting crop of young players they are expected to be contenders in September again with triple premiership captain Luke Hodge saying the gaps in the midfield presented players with a great opportunity to press their case.“It’s an opportunity for [Cam] McKenzie or [Josh] Ward to step up and fill the void,” Hodge said.“So many times over the year there has been an injury and someone who you never thought of could step up and really set up their career.”Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save articles for later.License this articleAFL 2026Hawthorn HawksPeter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.Most Viewed in SportLoadingFrom our partnersLoading 3rd party ad contentLoading 3rd party ad contentLoading 3rd party ad contentLoading 3rd party ad contentAdvertisement