Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was taken with what Josh Weddle produced in just his fourth AFL game last weekend.
The 2022 draftee landed a Rising Star nomination after collecting 28 disposals and kicking two goals in the Hawks’ big win over West Coast.
After watching him excel at the elite level, Mitchell admitted his surprise at being able to land Weddle late in the first round having forecast the Oakleigh Chargers talent to go much earlier in the draft.
But the Hawks cleverly traded up to pinch Weddle at pick 18 and Mitchell couldn’t be happier.
“He’s an exciting kid. I remember watching him before the draft and thinking ‘gee’,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“We had an early pick (used on Cameron Mackenzie) and then I didn’t think he (Weddle) would be gettable for us because of where I thought he would fall.
“We were able to trade up to get him and I was very excited as I thought he’d be out of reach for us. I was rapt to be able to get him in the draft.
“He’s got a physical profile that’s pretty special for a guy his size to be able to move the way he does.”
Mitchell says the Rising Star nomination is nice reward for the 19-year-old who started his debut season in the VFL with Box Hill prior to his Round 7 AFL debut.
“It’s reward for effort for him,” Mitchell added.
“He’s been toiling away and working hard. He didn’t start the season in the team or even close to the team to be fair, but his consistent performance and a couple of role changes for him has meant that he’s found a spot.
“We know that these young guys, when there’s a bit of confidence behind them and when they play with a bit of flair and bring the things that we drafted them for, then they can be pretty special players.
“Far from complete of course, but we were pretty excited by what we saw from him on the weekend.”
As Weddle begins to flourish, 24-year-old Jack Scrimshaw is struggling to find his best form so far in 2023.
The rebounding defender has played five senior games in which he has averaged just 13 disposals, well down on his last few seasons in Hawks colours.
Mitchell explained the reasons why the Gold Coast Suns’ former no.7 draft pick is not in his best 23 at the present time.
“With Jack, he got drafted as an early pick and went to Gold Coast. We traded for him and were rapt to get him,” Mitchell said of Scrimshaw.
“I’ve had this conversation with him and his other coaches, and he’s a fantastic talent and he’s got through a lot of his career on his talent.
“Now the work rate to take his game to another level is required. He’s just got some things that he needs to work on. He understands that.
“I think the performance of some of our (older guys), whether it’s a guy like Sam Frost - who is not everyone’s favourite - but I think he’s the teammates’ favourite and the coaches’ favourite because he’s so reliable and he gets the job done.
“And the emergence of Seamus Mitchell and Josh Weddle has meant that the back half is a difficult spot to get a game. Because he’s been interrupted and hasn’t been in great form, unfortunately he’s got to a point that means he has fallen out of our best side.
“I still think if everyone on our list is playing to their maximum and playing at their best then he’s a walk-up start.”
Mitchell will be hoping Weddle can perform again this weekend when the Hawks meet St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Scrimshaw will likely be suiting up for Box Hill against Essendon in the VFL at The Hangar on Sunday.