Player Watch #2 Jacob Hopper

[bc27]

Tank Commander Hopper

 

[THE_GUN]

He was not good last night
needs to get way better than what he produced last night

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Rather play one short.

He's playing in the backline setting all sort of records for falling over...

 

[Ctl]

Problem is right now who replaces him? Sonsie possibly or Prestia immediately? The younger guys aren't there just yet.

We can move Mcauliffe into the middle, then get Retschko on the wing or even pigeonhole trainor on the wing so he is playing senior AFL footy. The young guys would be ready if they were healthy, which is part of the reason hopper is such an issue. He can only play one position, and is unlikely to be dropped to the VFL because of status, seniority, contract etc and won't have a trade market

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

It looks like he’s the next player getting pushed out of the club tbh

 

[From45SlightAngle]

It looks like he’s the next player getting pushed out of the club tbh

His contract until 2029 will stop that from happening. Can't afford to be paying out a deal like that yet

 

[tiger_tough]

Trade bait.

 

[Grrr]

Trade bait.

Good luck with that.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Migraine inducing watching this bloke.

 

[prodigy]

He'll know himself how poor he was last night. I fully expect him to bounce back but if a trade opportunity arises as he is inevitably going to be displaced by Cumming/Hotton/Smillie when they eventually get fit.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

He'll know himself how poor he was last night. I fully expect him to bounce back but if a trade opportunity arises as he is inevitably going to be displaced by Cumming/Hotton/Smillie when they eventually get fit.

so he's safe for 2026

 

[Jammo1111]

I suspect he is incapable to upgrade his effort as he seems to be physically cooked - I’m unsure if speed and composure was his forte anyway.

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

He also 6 turnovers from 8 kicks and 10 handballs

At 29 years of age, ya don’t wanna be having these types of games in a team rebuilding full of young talent because he’ll be in the 2s in no time and never make it back

 

[rammmbo]

Until he can run a 4 second 20mt sprint should not be playing .

 

[Karp3_dm]

Trade bait.

To a farm that needs a tractor

 

[THE_GUN]

His contract until 2029 will stop that from happening. Can't afford to be paying out a deal like that yet

He would have already been paid the majority of that contract last year and i would doubt he has any more than $250k a year left to pay.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

It looks like he’s the next player getting pushed out of the club tbh

Not before Ryan, Broad, Sonsie, Smith and Ralphshit he ain’t

 

[Tiger1974]

Round 1 and he is stuck in 3rd gear. Should be fresh and roaring to go.

 

[Tiger1974]

Problem is right now who replaces him? Sonsie possibly or Prestia immediately? The younger guys aren't there just yet.

Anyone that can run

 

[SouthernStripes]

Early contender for 2026 whipping boy. Sonsie breathing a sigh of relief

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

He also 6 turnovers from 8 kicks and 10 handballs

At 29 years of age, ya don’t wanna be having these types of games in a team rebuilding full of young talent because he’ll be in the 2s in no time and never make it back

LOL they're some atrocious stats

 

[Infamy]

Havent seen this guy play decent consistent footy since he arrived at the club...

He was 3rd in our B&F last year

 

[Grockadoc]

Not before Ryan, Broad, Sonsie, Smith and Ralphshit he ain’t

Ralphsmith was serviceable last night...

 

[RJK Tiger]

We all did at the time and I'm still not writing him off completely. He has shown in a few games he can be a very valuable contributor and right now until the likes of Smillie/Cummings/Hotton can hold up we still need him for at least the next 1-2 years.

Lol no we did not. people like me & Sunshine were pretty against it & there were others. The majority thought adding 1 of the 2 was worth the risk - but 2 always seemed reckless to me. And 2 from the same team, incredibly reckless. And it was & it has cost us. There were a few of us who felt the full committment to rebuilding was required post 2021. 2022 was the year which really gaslighted a lot of ppl. It was the weirdest season ever - clear sabotaging by the AFL to hold us back.

Realistically, if the club wanted to go for a"Last Dance", it needed to have that faith after 2021. We had 5 picks in the first 30 & adding a bloke like Taranto etc MIGHT have made a meaningful difference in 2022 IF the AFL were not committed to ****ing us. They were though - we saw it at the Gabba & I thought after that choke job it was clear our time was up in every way possible. The AFL was NEVER going to let that group lead by Dimma win another flag

 

[RJK Tiger]

Ralphsmith was serviceable last night...

low bar mate - is "serviceable" from a 24 year old "enough"?

Grlj has played 1 game & its already better than Ralph-Smiths best.

Unless Ralph-Smith can find a niche role like Castagna did - he is not worth the list spot. We can't keep letting every player have a chance until they are 26, its madness.