Player Watch #2 Jacob Hopper

[Wooden Robot]

Whilst this is true to some degree.

My issue with Hopper going forward is he offers no upside and will be taking midfield minutes from Lalor, Mcauliffe, Smillie and Hotton.

We need meaningful midfield minutes into some kids next year.

You see it!
Right on the money.
He’s average and plays a good one every five or six.
No value at his pay rate.

 

[Grrr]

The criticism of Hopper and by extension Taranto just doesn't make any sense. 90% of the reason they were recruited was to complement a midfield of Dusty, Cotchin, Prestia, Bolton for a chance at another flag. If everything went well then the balance and talent in that midfield is pretty formidable. We all know how it panned out, but the supporters that are demanding ruthlessness and impeccable standards are the same ones potting these blokes when the whole reason we have them is because we put our nuts on the line in pursuit of being regarded the greatest dynasty of all time. What's not "strong and bold" about that?

They are what they are. Unpolished, B grade, battering rams. They weren't recruited to be leading a midfield full geriatrics and/or kids. That's just what the situation is now and they're doing a decent job of it. They've been in our best in all our wins this year and when they don't rock up like we look like utter shit. That says enough in itself.

Even if that is so, he and Taranto are not going to take us forward. One of them might, but not 3 of them (Prestia). The sooner we do what North have had to do, play their early draft pics in the middle every game, the better we will be, short term and long term.

 

[tiger_tough]

Even if that is so, he and Taranto are not going to take us forward. One of them might, but not 3 of them (Prestia). The sooner we do what North have had to do, play their early draft pics in the middle every game, the better we will be, short term and long term.

Taranto -> half forward
Hopper -> middle
Prestia -> VFL/injured

Simples.

The way Hotton is winning clearances with ease when he gets a run in there Id hope he trains with the mids all off season and starts r1 in the centre. McAuliffe is good enough if fit. Those 2 and Hopper should be our starting midfield next year IMO.

 

[Grrr]

Taranto -> half forward
Hopper -> middle
Prestia -> VFL/injured

Simples.

The way Hotton is winning clearances with ease when he gets a run in there Id hope he trains with the mids all off season and starts r1 in the centre. McAuliffe is good enough if fit. Those 2 and Hopper should be our starting midfield next year IMO.

I can't have Taranto half forward because we have a bout 10 who are better there, or will be. Taranto just doesn't seem interested.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Stands up in a tackle, has a nice side step, decent hands and wins clearances?

The whole midfield mix is wrong. Not his fault.

Completely agree. We have three slower inside mids, and not much else. They look tired and have run out of ideas.

Hopefully next year our younger guys who played midfield minutes get more time and improve. Cause without some dash in there our defensive pressure and attacking zing are pretty much splat.

 

[blaisee]

Completely agree. We have three slower inside mids, and not much else. They look tired and have run out of ideas.

Hopefully next year our younger guys who played midfield minutes get more time and improve. Cause without some dash in there our defensive pressure and attacking zing are pretty much splat.

had a great year has hopper

Be an awesome move to trade him, for a top 15 pick, even if we pay his wages

We are way too slow and something has to give

 

[Vassp]

The criticism of Hopper and by extension Taranto just doesn't make any sense. 90% of the reason they were recruited was to complement a midfield of Dusty, Cotchin, Prestia, Bolton for a chance at another flag. If everything went well then the balance and talent in that midfield is pretty formidable. We all know how it panned out, but the supporters that are demanding ruthlessness and impeccable standards are the same ones potting these blokes when the whole reason we have them is because we put our nuts on the line in pursuit of being regarded the greatest dynasty of all time. What's not "strong and bold" about that?

They are what they are. Unpolished, B grade, battering rams. They weren't recruited to be leading a midfield full geriatrics and/or kids. That's just what the situation is now and they're doing a decent job of it. They've been in our best in all our wins this year and when they don't rock up like we look like utter shit. That says enough in itself.

When they're getting paid big dollars, we expect a certain level of play.......this is where the sticking point is.

The simple answer is, they don't fit our midfield and we are better of trading them.

 

[Grrr]

When they're getting paid big dollars, we expect a certain level of play.......this is where the sticking point is.

The simple answer is, they don't fit our midfield and we are better of trading them.

I doubt any team would bid for him, much less a first round.

 

[thegcat]

I doubt any team would bid for him, much less a first round.

He’d slot beautifully at the cattery

 

[Grrr]

He’d slot beautifully at the cattery

Undercover agent.

 

[Morro]

Imagine shitting on Hopper and TT in 2025. Take them out and we have a midfield of Kmac, Ross and ****n Steeley FFS.

They are doing what they are here to do, take the punishment in a rebuilding team until the kids are ready.

 

[Ralll]

I view Hopper like a Tuck or Jackson, there to protect the kids while they develop.
I'd guess he would be better in a balanced midfield with speed around him.
He was AA squad in '21.

 

[4tune8]

The only difficulty with Hopper is how we transition him out of the midfield rotations, he really has no value anywhere else on the field.

 

[Ralll]

The only difficulty with Hopper is how we transition him out of the midfield rotations, he really has no value anywhere else on the field.

Don't need to, by the time Hoppers career is ending Smillie and/or Lalor will be ready to take the hits as a full time mids.
Taranto can play mid/forward as needed, Prestia injury backup and the Ross/Tresize types will begin to make way for the highly talented young kids starting next season.

 

[el_simo]

Don't need to, by the time Hoppers career is ending Smillie and/or Lalor will be ready to take the hits as a full time mids.
Taranto can play mid/forward as needed, Prestia injury backup and the Ross/Tresize types will begin to make way for the highly talented young kids starting next season.

The new gen mids need to rotate through to get experience, hopper can’t rotate anywhere else. Either can Prestia really. It’s a shit position to be in, I actually fear we will get worse next year.

We really needed the guys around the 25 mark to help bridge the gap but we’re just left with Ross who’s a somehow worse hopper.

 

[4tune8]

Don't need to, by the time Hoppers career is ending Smillie and/or Lalor will be ready to take the hits as a full time mids.
Taranto can play mid/forward as needed, Prestia injury backup and the Ross/Tresize types will begin to make way for the highly talented young kids starting next season.

I wish that were the case, his contract expires in 2029

 

[captain cotch 9]

I'm ok with keeping him for 1 more year because i doubt that Lalor or Kmac2 will play a full season.
But....
I think the Hawks and Cats will come and ask the question.

My biggest concern with him is his decision making. He handballs to teammates that are under pressure all the time. Id rather him dump kick it into the forward line.

 

[Grrr]

Imagine shitting on Hopper and TT in 2025. Take them out and we have a midfield of Kmac, Ross and ****n Steeley FFS.

They are doing what they are here to do, take the punishment in a rebuilding team until the kids are ready.

I don't think anyone should be arguing else wise, but next season is a different situation.

 

[Morro]

I don't think anyone should be arguing else wise, but next season is a different situation.

Is it though? Too early to tell IMO

 

[Grrr]

Is it though? Too early to tell IMO

Yes, but we can't run Taranto, Hopper and Prestia together that much we have seen this season. I would have Ross over Hopper because he uses the ball well, although I have been impressed with Hopper running out games well.

Not writing anyone off bar Prestia, but Hopper only has one position, the others can rotate forward or even wing.

I think our young mids will come on quicker next year than many predict. Reid, Horn Francis, Rowell, Anderson were all pretty much guns from the second year on. Why not our high draft picks.

 

[Muddiemoose]

The only difficulty with Hopper is how we transition him out of the midfield rotations, he really has no value anywhere else on the field.

Don’t think we can right now

For me the issue is that he’s being over worked and relied on

Right now who else can consistently win a hard ball?
Taranto is okay but no where near the inside player Hopper is

Right now he’s doing all the heavy lifting by himself, North could rotate multiple players through that inside extractor role that ultimately exposed us because we didn’t have sufficient match ups

 

[4tune8]

Don’t think we can right now

For me the issue is that he’s being over worked and relied on

Right now who else can consistently win a hard ball?
Taranto is okay but no where near the inside player Hopper is

Right now he’s doing all the heavy lifting by himself, North could rotate multiple players through that inside extractor role that ultimately exposed us because we didn’t have sufficient match ups

Very much the case.

That 3rd quarter against North was an abomination, I think they scored 7 goals from centre clearances. Our structures and defensive setups were out of whack, not helped by Xerri's dominance continually hitting out to their mids advantage. I don't know how many times he tapped it to a player on his own but it happened a lot.

 

[tigs2010]

I wish that were the case, his contract expires in 2029

I don't think he will be here that long. We will have paid most of his contract before then and there will be another rebuilding club looking to protect the kids too.

 

[Morro]

Yes, but we can't run Taranto, Hopper and Prestia together that much we have seen this season. I would have Ross over Hopper because he uses the ball well, although I have been impressed with Hopper running out games well.

Not writing anyone off bar Prestia, but Hopper only has one position, the others can rotate forward or even wing.

I think our young mids will come on quicker next year than many predict. Reid, Horn Francis, Rowell, Anderson were all pretty much guns from the second year on. Why not our high draft picks.

Personally I see Ross replacing Prestia and more like for like.

Ideally IMO,

TT plays mostly Fwd and only goes into the middle when Hopper has a rest
Ross
Kane Mac
Lalor
Hotton
Smillie
Campbell

All the above rotating through.

Prestia when we need experience due to injury