Overview
- Multiple outlets report Essendon has tabled an offer of at least seven years through 2033 for Josh Weddle, worth more than $1 million a season and nudging $10 million in total.
- Weddle remains contracted to Hawthorn until the end of 2026, and his manager said there was nothing to discuss while the 21-year-old is on holiday in Europe.
- Hawthorn has recently extended Jai Newcombe, Nick Watson and Connor MacDonald ahead of their 2026 expiries, with Weddle regarded as the next priority to retain.
- The approach is viewed as a forceful response to Hawthorn’s failed push for Essendon captain Zach Merrett, after which Bombers coach Brad Scott said the gloves were off.
- Essendon is leveraging substantial salary-cap space in a market increasingly defined by long deals for young talent, with Hawthorn itself previously floating an 11-year offer for Harley Reid.