Hawthorn Assistant Coach Sam Mitchell says he has been impressed by the pre-season form of his protégé James Worpel. 

Following a break-out season in 2019, Worpel took out the Peter Crimmins Medal, becoming the youngest winner in club history.

But Mitchell said any fear of the young gun taking the foot off the gas was quickly alleviated on day one of pre-season.

“I was really proud of the way he came back," Mitchell said. 

“I think when you’re young and you have some success early in your career, sometimes you can be a little bit complacent.

“But he’s been the furthest from that, I do worry a little bit about him over-training potentially but he’s in a really good position right now." 

Having just recently turned 21, Mitchell is determined to continue to push Worpel's development.

A development, Mitchell believes, will be enhanced with the return of 2018 Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell. 

“I think it will be really good for him, I mean, who’s not going to be better for having Tom Mitchell playing around him?”

“Having Tom Mitchell there to learn from has been enormous for him and that will continue to make his growth even quicker."