GEELONG CATS COACH CHRIS SCOTT CONFIRMS HEAVY FINE FOR PLAYER OVER TRAINING GROUND TACKLE THAT SIDELINES JAMES WORPEL
New recruit to miss opening two months of 2026 AFL season after incident described as “the kind of contact we are all working to avoid”
Geelong Cats senior coach Chris Scott has confirmed one of his players has been issued a heavy fine following a dangerous tackle during a training session that has left new signing James Worpel sidelined for up to two months.
Speaking to media today, Scott described the incident as a “significant setback” and emphasized that the type of contact involved was unacceptable. “This is exactly the kind of tackle that hunts our game – the sort of action we are all avoiding because of the serious injury risk it poses to every player on the field,” he said.
Worpel, who has deep connections to the Geelong region through local football pathways, officially joined the club’s AFL list at the end of 2025 and was set to make his debut for the Cats in the upcoming 2026 season. Medical assessments confirm he will miss the opening eight rounds of the campaign as he recovers from injuries sustained in the collision with his teammate.
While the club has not named the player responsible for the tackle, Scott confirmed internal disciplinary measures have been enforced alongside the financial penalty. “We hold all our players to the highest standards, whether in competition or training,” he stated. “The consequences reflect the seriousness with which we take player safety and the integrity of the game’s rules around contact.”
The Geelong Cats football department has indicated it will be reviewing training protocols to minimize the risk of similar incidents occurring in future. The club’s head of football operations added that Worpel is already progressing well with his rehabilitation program and remains focused on making an impact once cleared to return to play.
Worpel, a product of the region’s junior development system, had been identified as a key addition to Geelong’s midfield group for the 2026 season, with coaching staff praising his work ethic and understanding of the club’s playing style prior to the incident.
