Josh Worrell

Josh Worrell was born on April 11, 2001, in High Wycombe, England, and later moved to Australia. He began his junior football career with the Bentleigh Demons and East Brighton Vampires in Melbourne. During the 2019 under-18 championships, playing for Vic Metro, he was the leading goalkicker with four goals against Western Australia and three against South Australia. Worrell was drafted by the Adelaide Football Club with the 28th pick in the 2019 national draft. He made his Australian Football League (AFL) debut in June 2021 against St Kilda in Cairns, initially transitioning from a forward role to a medium defender.

Worrell’s career progression saw him overcome a pre-season hamstring injury in 2023 to play 12 games, averaging 14.6 disposals and being rated elite in tackles with 2.1 per game. In 2024, he played the first nine games before sustaining a broken arm, which sidelined him for three months. He returned to play the final four games of that season. The 2025 season marked a significant turning point, with Worrell delivering a career-best performance, averaging 18 disposals and being ranked “elite.” He achieved a career-high 25 disposals against St Kilda and 27 disposals against Collingwood in round 23. These performances placed him in contention for All-Australian honours, and he finished second in intercept possessions for the home-and-away season, only behind teammate Mark Keane.

Throughout his developing career, Worrell has been a consistent presence in Adelaide’s defence. His ability to read the play, intercept marks, and rebound with his left foot have been noted as key strengths. These attributes, combined with his strong overhead marking and decision-making, have solidified his position within the team. His commitment to the club was further demonstrated by signing a two-year contract extension in 2023 and a six-year extension until the end of 2033 prior to the 2025 finals series, indicating the club’s confidence in his long-term potential as a key defender.