Hawthorn captain James Sicily says Josh Weddle’s life-changing contract offer from Essendon will be a test of the Hawks’ culture, as they begin afresh after a failed bid to lure Zach Merrett.
The Bombers have offered robust utility Weddle, off contract next season, a seven-year deal worth up to $10 million.
This offer comes after the Hawks attempted to poach Bombers skipper Merrett, but the two clubs could not agree to a trade.
New dawn: Hawthorn captain James Sicily and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the John Kennedy Community Centre opening on Monday.Credit: Eddie Jim
On a day the Hawks officially had the John Kennedy Community Centre – their new training base in Dingley in Melbourne’s south-east – 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 got a lot of young players that have really high ceilings and a lot of potential and have done really well at a young age,” Sicily said.
“That’s where you need to make sure your environment here is amazing, your culture is amazing, facilities are amazing, so when people get offers, contracts, that are maybe 20 or 30 per cent more than what they would be offered here, it’s not good enough to leave.
“So, I mean that’s what we will keep trying to do. Have a great environment where it’s fun, work hard – got everything here to make us better. And, hopefully, lucrative offers don’t get accepted, and we keep all of our good young players. That stuff is going to happen. We’ll see where it all lands.”
Sicily said Weddle, 21, had been the centre of friendly banter from his teammates.
