Recommitted Jacob Hopper [re-signed]

[Art Vandelay_]

Desirable. Lol. There's a reason why you pay them so much and why you leak players every year.

"Desirable"? PMSL.

Success or the lure of impending success is desirable. GWS presently have that.

 

[Hamingja]

Geelong going hard for Hopper would be a strange choice from a list balance perspective IMO. Would be Caddy all over again, probably won't crack regularly in the centre bounce for at least another 2-3 years while Selwood and Danger are still in their prime, hurting his development and ignoring their list needs. Surely they are looking to win a premiership with Paddy and Joel rather than already planning for their replacement.

I'd much prefer Devon Smith than Hopper for this reason.

 

[Turbocat]

Geelong going hard for Hopper would be a strange choice from a list balance perspective IMO. Would be Caddy all over again, probably won't crack regularly in the centre bounce for at least another 2-3 years while Selwood and Danger are still in their prime, hurting his development and ignoring their list needs. Surely they are looking to win a premiership with Paddy and Joel rather than already planning for their replacement.

I disagree. If someone with the talent of Hopper wants to come to Geelong , and considering the age and wear and tear of Selwood.. id make sense to explore it. Although not our greatest need , a main criticism of us is we are a two man side and a quality young mid cant hurt.
In other words I dont think we should be totally focused on the now to the point of not thinking about the next 5 to 10. Would they have picked him in the draft? Didn't stop hem picking Selwood in the first place when they had Ablett , Kelly , Bartel , Corey ....

 

[Red Black and Blue]

I disagree. If someone with the talent of Hopper wants to come to Geelong , and considering the age and wear and tear of Selwood.. id make sense to explore it. Although not our greatest need , a main criticism of us is we are a two man side and a quality young mid cant hurt.
In other words I dont think we should be totally focused on the now to the point of not thinking about the next 5 to 10. Would they have picked him in the draft? Didn't stop hem picking Selwood in the first place when they had Ablett , Kelly , Bartel , Corey ....

I think the difference with Selwood was you already had a very balanced list and adding to the midfield was as reasonable as adding anywhere, plus with the exception of Corey none of them were bull style mids. Now I think you have much more pressing issues elsewhere, KP's both ends, few quality small forwards, another quality ball user out of the back line, outside class in the middle. I think free agency and the draft is the wiser choice, rather than giving up a late first + second or two seconds right now.

 

[The German Hunter]

I'd much prefer Devon Smith than Hopper for this reason.

Make sense, especially if son of god comes home

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I disagree. If someone with the talent of Hopper wants to come to Geelong , and considering the age and wear and tear of Selwood.. id make sense to explore it. Although not our greatest need , a main criticism of us is we are a two man side and a quality young mid cant hurt.
In other words I dont think we should be totally focused on the now to the point of not thinking about the next 5 to 10. Would they have picked him in the draft? Didn't stop hem picking Selwood in the first place when they had Ablett , Kelly , Bartel , Corey ....

I do get the validity of the argument about taking quality talent where you can get it but you also get the best performance boost from trades when you strengthen a weakness IMO. We have no shortage of good ball winning mids whereas our small forwards are motlop (inconsistent and may leave at the end of the year) parsons (decent but a kid) and gregson and mccarthy (good but seriously injured). Which is why i think arguably we would get more benefit out of putting an A grade small/medium forward in the team than an A grade midfielder. I do think the club will go after hopper though.

 

[Turbocat]

I do get the validity of the argument about taking quality talent where you can get it but you also get the best performance boost from trades when you strengthen a weakness IMO. We have no shortage of good ball winning mids whereas our small forwards are motlop (inconsistent and may leave at the end of the year) parsons (decent but a kid) and gregson and mccarthy (good but seriously injured). Which is why i think arguably we would get more benefit out of putting an A grade small/medium forward in the team than an A grade midfielder. I do think the club will go after hopper though.

As you'd say I get the validity of trading for weakness. I just feel that we tend to recruit , as much on need as the best talent available that is excited about coming to our club. If Hopper say he wants Geelong , it would probably channel Henderson in that it will be a bit early before we actually need him.
Im not keen on the cost , and given a preference id probably say no to trades involving our R1 next year. I get that we need for talent , I just dont see the goals next to Smiths name to get me all hot for him.

 

[Isaac Norm Smith]

Geelong going hard for Hopper would be a strange choice from a list balance perspective IMO. Would be Caddy all over again, probably won't crack regularly in the centre bounce for at least another 2-3 years while Selwood and Danger are still in their prime, hurting his development and ignoring their list needs. Surely they are looking to win a premiership with Paddy and Joel rather than already planning for their replacement.

Yep, good call. Hopper will be a good long term replacement for the Selwood brothers but I would have thought a key forward or small forward pocket would fill more of a need, particularly given we are in our window now. Someone like Devon Smith would be perfect, but I don't believe he is available. He recently said he wants to sign a 2-year extension with GWS.

 

[DBAH0]

There was an article doing the rounds yesterday that said we were very keen on him and his brother lives in Torquay.

I think he fits our list profile pretty well, don't exactly have many good young inside midfielders ATM.

 

[ArdentEagle]

West Coast are crying out for a player like him.
Now that Priddis has retired and the impending retirement of Sam Mitchell, we desperately need an inside bull and midfield class.

We now would have a lot of spare $$$ to throw out some very large offers to the right player.
I'd imagine that Hopper, Smith, Kennedy and of course Kelly would all be of strong interest.

Might be an easier sell to get two players instead of just one to commit as well.

 

[Deadly Darcy]

If you have the two best mids in the comp, the best defender and one of the best forwards and like to build from within (despite having 5 or 6 from other clubs in your best 22) then why is Richmond still so shit? Surely having basically the best 4 players in the league (as you put it) would make them a threat, right?

I hate richmonds list but "still so shit" doesn't cut it given where they sit this year. The entire competition is wide open but the tigers have earned their spot at the top of the ladder. They aren't dominating the entire competition but they are better than most and as good on their day as any at the moment.


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[Deadly Darcy]

Geelong going hard for Hopper would be a strange choice from a list balance perspective IMO. Would be Caddy all over again, probably won't crack regularly in the centre bounce for at least another 2-3 years while Selwood and Danger are still in their prime, hurting his development and ignoring their list needs. Surely they are looking to win a premiership with Paddy and Joel rather than already planning for their replacement.

Scotts on record as saying if they can get more quality in the mid he'd love danger as a deep forward. Makes perfect sense to me. If quality wants to come to your club you grab it with both hands. Massive upgrade on the flexibility with which Scott can move his players around if they grab Hopper. Plus - he was touted as just about best in his draft year amoungst the Oliver's etc. If they are confident his health issues will improve the guy is going to be a beast. Despite our midfield depth I'd rather him than lever if both wanted to come to the dogs. Lever has major hamstring risks - Hopper has the potential to be an absolute killer in coming years.


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[Rockford]

Scotts on record as saying if they can get more quality in the mid he'd love danger as a deep forward. Makes perfect sense to me. If quality wants to come to your club you grab it with both hands. Massive upgrade on the flexibility with which Scott can move his players around if they grab Hopper. Plus - he was touted as just about best in his draft year amoungst the Oliver's etc. If they are confident his health issues will improve the guy is going to be a beast. Despite our midfield depth I'd rather him than lever if both wanted to come to the dogs. Lever has major hamstring risks - Hopper has the potential to be an absolute killer in coming years.


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Agree 100%. Danger has pedigree playing deep forward. He torched Freo in a quarter kicking 4 goals.. and I think he'd only improve the more time he gets in the F50. Also presents match up issues for opposition. If it's late in a game and you just need to win the clearance you want all of Selwood, Danger and Hopper at the drop of the ball. Hopper to Geelong, make it so

 

[Cleric]

Any reason why Hopper would want to go to Geelong? He isnt a Melb kid, comes from the NSW border.
Did he barrack for them? Or is it just Geelong really want him and have put a big offer to him?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Any reason why Hopper would want to go to Geelong? He isnt a Melb kid, comes from the NSW border.
Did he barrack for them? Or is it just Geelong really want him and have put a big offer to him?

His brother now lives in torquay is reportedly the main thing.

He may also prefer the country lifestyle to melbourne i know that was a factor with henderson for example.

 

[dlanod]

Any reason why Hopper would want to go to Geelong? He isnt a Melb kid, comes from the NSW border.
Did he barrack for them? Or is it just Geelong really want him and have put a big offer to him?

He's got family down that way.

 

[Groin guru]

Any reason why Hopper would want to go to Geelong? He isnt a Melb kid, comes from the NSW border.
Did he barrack for them? Or is it just Geelong really want him and have put a big offer to him?

Barracked for North. Entire family are mad North supporters.

 

[Colonial]

Barracked for North. Entire family are mad North supporters.

And yet will still not go to North (or will need another mega deal to get him there)

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[eDPS]

Any team that can manage to get him out of GWS I feel will reap the rewards instantly. If he can stay fit next year I can see him finishing in the top 20 for contested possession in the league same with tackles. If I use Jack Steele as an example his average possessions with more midfield time jumped up by 6 since going to the Saints. If we use the same for Hopper he should average around 23 at least, he is better than Steele so id expect him to have a better year.

If im Essendon im trading my 1st rounder for him no problems at all.

 

[dlanod]

One significant difference between Hopper and Steele is that Hopper has been playing almost solely through the middle when in the seniors, barring a couple of games last season. He should bump up with more responsibility anyway though.

 

[Toadvine]

It's been reported recently that Richmond have entered the race. With the major targets like Kelly and Martin seemingly staying put, Hopper becomes one of the very few remaining blue chip players.

With Hopper basically being able to pick any team in the league it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[M Malice]

Would absolutely love Jacob Hopper at the Lions, would fill our need for another contested ball winning beast to go with Jarrod Berry and Rhys Matheison.

 

[kreglze]

Exactly the type of player the Suns would kill for, would have the currency to bring him in to please GWS, but would probably prefer Geelong for family and lifestyle reasons stated above.

 

[Bazza97]

I'd assume if he leaves, he goes back to Victoria. Geelong and Carlton have been the clubs most linked to Hopper in the media. St Kilda, Richmond and Essendon I reckon will also have a lot of interest, based on their list needs. I personally get the feeling he will leave.

 

[DBAH0]

Would Carlton's second round pick, which could be the first selection in that round be enough to get a deal done there?