Player Watch #2 Jacob Hopper

[Chat Pile]

I'd still make the trade any day of the week.

 

[59Stanley]

He was worth an early second round pick. He is a decent average mid. We have made a big big mistake with this trade unfortunately

 

[Drunken Wookie]

No it wasn't 'likely' at all. Having to use a drafting decision made 13 years ago to defend a very bad trade that got Hopper to Richmond is a stretch to say the least. And even if it were true, Conca still did manage to play 150 games for both Richmond and Fremantle, something given Hoppers age and injury history he is very unlikely to equal with this club for what's left of his career. Perhaps you should have used the examples of Anthony Banik or Richard Lounder instead.

It was a throw away line settle the **** down, Jim.

 

[Noidnadroj]

Richmond supporters are basing their judgement on what they’ve seen of Hopper in a Tiger jumper… in a season with some personal injuries, a departing coach, a concussion and basically a cluster f**k all round. Assuming Hopper gets his body right and returns to his best, it is way way better than ‘average’:

2019: played 23 games and averaged 26 touches, 4.1 tackles and 6.2 clearances a game. Elite numbers. 3rd in B&F with 218 behind Cameron and TT on 220 and 222 votes.

2020 (shortened 17 game season): played 17 games and averaged 19.2 touches, 4.2 tackles and 3.8 clearances. Equal 4th in B&F.

2021. Played 23 games and averaged 26.4 touches, 3.8 tackles and 6.4 clearances. 3rd in B&F

So played basically every game over a 3-year period with high B&F finishes each year … that’s from the age of 22-24yo. Had some injuries in 2022 but he was hardly ‘damaged goods’ as evidenced by 3-years with barely missing a game. AFL players generally peak from 26-31yo.

So this trade may not work out, but that’ll only be if Hopper doesn’t get more luck with injury. But anyone saying he’s always been average or a b-grader clearly didn’t watch any GWS games across 2019-2021 … the guy was one of the best inside mids in the competition. Richmond were making decisions on that 3-years of elite midfield football, not expecting him to suffer a knee injury, a concussion and a calf injury… all the while losing the coach.

I’m backing him in to be a great player for us as I’ve seen him do it - unlike most commenting here who clearly assume his bad run this year is what he’s always produced which isn’t remotely true.


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[RichoLedio]

I'm not too worried about him, see how he goes next year hopefully a full pre season and I think he will be a very good consistent player for us

 

[Daka]

I'm not too worried about him, see how he goes next year hopefully a full pre season and I think he will be a very good consistent player for us

We got him for him & Taranto for 7 years, we obviously saw them far beyond this year in our future plans, I think it's laughable that people think Dimma makes the list management decisions.

Our team would have known Hardwick was unlikely to be around for most of these contract.

 

[RichoLedio]

We got him for him & Taranto for 7 years, we obviously saw them far beyond this year in our future plans, I think it's laughable that people think Dimma makes the list management decisions.

Cotch retiring and Prestia and Dusty near the end, these two will be very important to us for the next few years

 

[Tigerbob]

Cotch retiring and Prestia and Dusty near the end, these two will be very important to us for the next few years

Especially if new coach decides on a high kick ratio game plan…. Oops.

Hopper is a good player but we ****ed up and paid way overs. Nothing we can do about it now. Clarke would of ****ed up the draft pick anyway.

Now we need smart operators to be creative and get us out of this situation we are in. Way to do that is be ruthless.

 

[wegetpumped]

Especially if new coach decides on a high kick ratio game plan…. Oops.

Hopper is a good player but we ****ed up and paid way overs. Nothing we can do about it now. Clarke would of ****ed up the draft pick anyway.

Now we need smart operators to be creative and get us out of this situation we are in. Way to do that is be ruthless.

Did you notice our kicking? Do you want to see more bombing forward? Even kicking around the ground! No wonder they tried the keepings off project this season and that has worked wonders. Our skills are so poor we need a totally new list as this is going to happen We really need fresh faces on the coaching front all must go.

 

[RichmondEshays]

We gotta back our players and we gotta get behind Hopper. Came to a new system and has been unlucky with injuries so no doubt it takes a while to adapt. When he's going his class is indisputable, but fk idk if hes worth pick 6 that would be pretty handy I cant lie. Bloke is 26 so hes in his prime now, we need him firing next 3-4 years before he surpasses his prime stage.

 

[Grechy]

He looked slow and weak this year. I remember at the Giants he looked like an inside contested beast. Definitely carrying niggles all year. Give him time.

 

[Vassp]

Cotch retiring and Prestia and Dusty near the end, these two will be very important to us for the next few years

I'm excited beyond belief.

 

[tiger_tough]

Gameplan and stoppage work is the issue. Mini was a poor midfield coach and he's a poor head coach. Reckon Hopper and Taranto will be great under the right coach that comes up with a gameplan that suits our list rather than trying to play the same footy we were 6 years ago.

 

[Morro]

Far too early to cry about it.

 

[Coach_Required]

Had a very interrupted season. He played pretty well in Round 2 against Adelaide but then got injured and his season struggled to find any consistency. I still think he can be a good pick up for us even though his first season could be considered a bust.

 

[Truetiger]

Had a very interrupted season. He played pretty well in Round 2 against Adelaide but then got injured and his season struggled to find any consistency. I still think he can be a good pick up for us even though his first season could be considered a bust.

Let’s judge him after a FULL pre season, then hopefully 2024 injury free.

 

[Harrison Bergeron]

Get on him for next year's Charlie.

 

[kozi]

He looked slow and weak this year. I remember at the Giants he looked like an inside contested beast. Definitely carrying niggles all year. Give him time.

All Meehan

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Far too early to cry about it.

Don't rain on their self pity parade with your rational thoughts please Morro.

 

[Morro]

Don't rain on their self pity parade with your rational thoughts please Morro.

Sorry bro

 

[domin8]

He was worth an early second round pick. He is a decent average mid. We have made a big big mistake with this trade unfortunately

How do you know it’s a mistake? Let’s judge it in a few years

 

[Dr Tigris]

If we can get Hopper fit and play to our new inside mid strengths then he will be a great pick up

 

[rammbo]

Will be an ok stopgap solution while we try and draft a real inside bull that is actually big strong and fast.

 

[Sir_Loin]

We got him for him & Taranto for 7 years, we obviously saw them far beyond this year in our future plans, I think it's laughable that people think Dimma makes the list management decisions.

Our team would have known Hardwick was unlikely to be around for most of these contract.

Imagine if we didnt have them this year - we would have been out of contention for finals much earlier

 

[richcogs]

Jacob Hopper

2

Jacob Hopper

Age

29

Ht

187cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.0

5star

K

9.9

4star

HB

11.1

5star

M

2.9

3star

T

4.5

5star

CL

4.3

5star

D

17.6

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

8.9

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.6

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

18.6

5star

K

8.4

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.4

5star

to Richmond for pick 7 and pick 25.