Jacob Hopper (6/02/1997. 186cm, 82kg. North Ballarat Rebels/GWS Academy)
Medium midfielder
AFL biography: Medium midfielder with an excellent work ethic who has the ability to win the footy both on the inside and outside. Shows excellent composure with the ball in hand, making smart decisions and executing well. A boarder at St Patrick's College in Ballarat, he is also a member of the GWS Giants Academy. He won the NSW/ACT MVP. Member of NAB AFL Academy. Averaged 26.7 disposals (16.3 contested), 6 inside 50s and 8.7 clearances a game during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian honours.
"Jacob's an inside player who can also go forward and kick some goals. He's very, very good when it comes to one on one contested footy, he rarely gets defeated in a contest and he hunts the ball really well. He's the ultimate professional and what I mean by that is that he does everything he possibly can to get the the best out of himself. His preparation and his mindset are probably the best I've seen come through the Rebels in my time. We always say that when we need someone to step up, he's the one who will step up every time with the crucial goal, the crucial clearance, the big tackle. He's a great young man who knows where he wants to get to in football and in life."
Phil Partington, North Ballarat talent manager
"He cracks in every time. We actually wanted him to start trying to get some easy ball, but he loves hurting himself and hurting other people and going in hard to get the footy. He's a determined SOB. There's not many people who would beat him if the footy's there in front of them."
Tadhg Kennelly, NSW-ACT Rams coach
Medium midfielder
AFL biography: Medium midfielder with an excellent work ethic who has the ability to win the footy both on the inside and outside. Shows excellent composure with the ball in hand, making smart decisions and executing well. A boarder at St Patrick's College in Ballarat, he is also a member of the GWS Giants Academy. He won the NSW/ACT MVP. Member of NAB AFL Academy. Averaged 26.7 disposals (16.3 contested), 6 inside 50s and 8.7 clearances a game during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian honours.
"Jacob's an inside player who can also go forward and kick some goals. He's very, very good when it comes to one on one contested footy, he rarely gets defeated in a contest and he hunts the ball really well. He's the ultimate professional and what I mean by that is that he does everything he possibly can to get the the best out of himself. His preparation and his mindset are probably the best I've seen come through the Rebels in my time. We always say that when we need someone to step up, he's the one who will step up every time with the crucial goal, the crucial clearance, the big tackle. He's a great young man who knows where he wants to get to in football and in life."
Phil Partington, North Ballarat talent manager
"He cracks in every time. We actually wanted him to start trying to get some easy ball, but he loves hurting himself and hurting other people and going in hard to get the footy. He's a determined SOB. There's not many people who would beat him if the footy's there in front of them."
Tadhg Kennelly, NSW-ACT Rams coach
