Josh Weddle contract a test for Hawthorn Hawks after failed Zach Merrett play
Hawthorn captain James Sicily says Josh Weddle’s life-changing contract offer from Essendon will be a test of the Hawks’ culture as they restart after a failed bid to attract Zach Merrett.
The Bombers offered a seven-year deal worth up to $10 million with no contract next season.
The offer came after the Hawks tried to poach Bombers captain Merrett, but the two clubs could not agree on a trade.
New dawn: Hawthorn captain James Sicily and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the opening of the John Kennedy Community Center on Monday.Credit: EddieJim
On the day the Hawks’ new training base at Dingley, south-east of Melbourne, the John Kennedy Community Centre, was officially opened by prime minister and Hawks tragic Anthony Albanese, Sicily said Weddle’s future was an early challenge for the club.
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“We have a lot of young players who have really high ceilings and a lot of potential and are doing really well at a young age,” Sicily said.
“That’s where you have to make sure that your environment here is great, your culture is great, the facilities are great, so when people get offers, contracts that are maybe 20 or 30 percent more than what’s going to be offered here, it’s not good enough to leave.
“I mean, that’s what we’re going to continue to do. Create a great environment that’s fun, works hard, everything is there to make us better. And hopefully we don’t get any lucrative offers and keep all our good young players. Those things will happen. We’ll see where this all goes.”
Sicily said Weddle, 21, was the center of his teammates’ friendly banter.
