James Worpel insists he is not looking around and is hoping a new deal with Hawthorn soon comes his way.
The 24-year-old midfielder remains without a contract for 2024 and beyond, which at this stage of the year could be seen as problematic.
However, Worpel is enjoying being a Hawk and is showing no signs of wanting to up and leave.
“I’m uncontracted for next year,” he said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“It’s taken a little while but hopefully it gets done sooner rather than later.
“But I’m enjoying my time at Hawthorn.”
As Worpel is a Geelong Falcons product, naturally the link with the Cats has popped up, but he is not looking at offers from elsewhere and would rather hang around at Hawthorn.
“To be honest I haven’t thought too much of it,” he said.
“I’m still quite young, I’ve had my whole career (to date) at Hawthorn and loving the time at Hawthorn at the moment.
“I do think we’re really close to some success and I really want to be a part of that, so I haven’t given too much thought about any other club.”
The 2019 best and fairest admits he had his doubts last year when he was playing in the VFL, but has bounced back strongly in 2023 under the tutelage of coach Sam Mitchell.
“You always question it a little bit but I’ve always wanted to stay,” Worpel said further.
“I love Sam as a coach and we have a very good relationship.
“I had a bit of a form slump last year but nothing that doesn’t really happen in everyone’s career at some stage.”
Worpel plays his 100th AFL game this weekend when the Hawks meet the Western Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium this Sunday.
He is averaging 26.1 disposals, 6.3 clearances and 5.2 inside 50s this season.