Key stats:

AFL games: 17

Disposals per game: 17.3

Disposal efficiency per game: 78.6%

Marks per game: 5.1 

Season summary:

The impressive youngster has capped off a dominant maiden campaign, named as Hawthorn’s Most Promising Player at the Peter Crimmins Medal. After making his debut in Round 7, the 19-year-old did not miss a game, playing 17 matches for the year – the most of any Hawthorn debutant in 2023. Showing plenty of promising signs of a bright future ahead, Weddle’s fantastic first season saw him earn a Rising Star nomination in Round 10. Arriving the club last year with Pick 18 in the national draft, the emerging star averaged 17.3 disposals at 78.6 per cent efficiency, 5.1 marks and 273 metres gained per outing.

Best AFL game:

It's hard to go past Weddle's Rising Star nomination as his highlight this year In what was just his fourth AFL appearance, the 19-year-old produced a career-best performance in Hawthorn's big win against West Coast with two goals, 28 disposals, seven marks and seven intercept possessions. He also received a Brownlow vote for his impressive performance.

What the coaches said:

“Josh had an outstanding first year of AFL footy. He played 17 games, he won a Rising Star nomination and played in multiple roles down back. He could play on the dangerous small forward, the key forward, or the resting ruck. For a first-year guy to be able to do all that is quite amazing. He has got a bright future, it looks like he has been in the system for years. The great thing about Josh is that he continually kept improving throughout the year in his positioning and skill execution – pretty much everything we went to work on during the week you would then see transition on game day. He works incredibly hard at his craft. I think Hawthorn supporters should be incredibly excited to watch him for years and years to come.” - Kade Simpson