Welcome to the Tigers Jacob Hopper

[Tig3]

The question then beckons, why did GWS accept Adelaide's offer of pick 17 & and a future first? Wouldn't they be more interested in a top 4 pick next year? Or even Curtin? Of all the scenarios I reckon that stands out as odd, Adelaide are getting better, their pick likely to be in the teens. The only explanation is they rated Leake as top 10 and they feel West Coast might make some inroads this year.

There was a clip on twitter with the Giants recruiting manager, they were super keen on Gothard and also keen on Leake so didnt want to trade out of this years first round, which is why they just shuffled some picks with the crows

 

[Tig3]

I said it when we recruited him.

He's done nothing to disprove that yet.

I don't think he'll be best 22 by mid year.

he was in the All Australian squad of 40 in 2021. Top 3 in Giants BNF 3 times. He's a gun. We didn't see his best enough, but saw glimpes ( Crows game before his injury he was fantastic)

 

[Tigers08]

I don't see what he gives us this year. Maybe after Dusty and Dion retire we'll need him.

Midfielders in the best 22 would be:

Dusty Prestia Bolton Taranto Graham Sonsie

Also, I reckon we'll see lots of: Ross, Dow, Campbell.

Also think Baker is a chance to play mid given the number of small running backs.

I don't see a need for Hopper.

List Managers here question Hopper selection after a year? Run that by Blair Hartley when he nexts ask your opinion. Some said the same about Prestia.

 

[Coburgtiger]

List Managers here question Hopper selection after a year? Run that by Blair Hartley when he nexts ask your opinion. Some said the same about Prestia.

It may be a controversial opinion, but I said it when we recruited him, and it's been right to date.

I'd wager it's right again this time next year.

I'll double that by saying Sonsie easily outperforms him.

 

[Don’t Argue]

I feel for Hopper, everything that could go wrong did in 2023. He looked slow, proppy and had no burst from stoppage. Didn't look unfit, looked like his body wouldn't allow him to do the things he wanted. And he looked horribly frustrated. Annoyed at the entire situation. Wiping the year out. Hoping for vast improvement over this year.

Basically didn’t train from mid season due to his knee and calf issues.
Hopefully not chronic.
Looks a little heavy to me

 

[Smoking Aces]

I said it when we recruited him.

He's done nothing to disprove that yet.

I don't think he'll be best 22 by mid year.

Bookmarked.

 

[Smoking Aces]

I feel for Hopper, everything that could go wrong did in 2023. He looked slow, proppy and had no burst from stoppage. Didn't look unfit, looked like his body wouldn't allow him to do the things he wanted. And he looked horribly frustrated. Annoyed at the entire situation. Wiping the year out. Hoping for vast improvement over this year.

Finally. Some sanity in this thread.

 

[Tig3]

Basically didn’t train from mid season due to his knee and calf issues.
Hopefully not chronic.
Looks a little heavy to me

Initially I thought the same when I saw him in the photo in his hoody (deceiving!)… Video of him the other day on instagram and he looked super fit

 

[Tigers of Old]

If you're body won't do what you want it to, you're unfit.

At least that's what I tell myself.

 

[turk-d-tiger]

The question then beckons, why did GWS accept Adelaide's offer of pick 17 & and a future first? Wouldn't they be more interested in a top 4 pick next year? Or even Curtin? Of all the scenarios I reckon that stands out as odd, Adelaide are getting better, their pick likely to be in the teens. The only explanation is they rated Leake as top 10 and they feel West Coast might make some inroads this year.

I do think they rated Leake and they may also believe that the Crows could still finish bottom 5-6 and they would have a good idea of the top 10 players in next years draft or may not rate these kids as highly or their positions compared to their needs.

GWS are about the now and are ready to go or as the tanned one said locked & loaded
I just cannot see how the eagles have improved on last year with a handful of 1st rounders that are only kids in their 1-3 years and the rest are cooked. I struggle to see any team that would finish below the eagles

 

[bullus_hit]

I do think they rated Leake and they may also believe that the Crows could still finish bottom 5-6 and they would have a good idea of the top 10 players in next years draft or may not rate these kids as highly or their positions compared to their needs.

GWS are about the now and are ready to go or as the tanned one said locked & loaded
I just cannot see how the eagles have improved on last year with a handful of 1st rounders that are only kids in their 1-3 years and the rest are cooked. I struggle to see any team that would finish below the eagles

Injury has played a big part in the Eagles demise but I think they are developing a decent junior core, they already have one key forward in Allen, Curtin would have been perfect for them but they may still get a quality tall next year. They're probably bottom 4 but may sneak in a few extra wins, there will be some buzz with Harley Reid, these types of additions can have instant impact and lift the standards.

 

[Leysy Days]

I feel for Hopper, everything that could go wrong did in 2023. He looked slow, proppy and had no burst from stoppage. Didn't look unfit, looked like his body wouldn't allow him to do the things he wanted. And he looked horribly frustrated. Annoyed at the entire situation. Wiping the year out. Hoping for vast improvement over this year.

The bold is Leysy's issue with Hopper.

When has he ever shown it?

Power/burst North/South running from your prime mids is a must have. You need it now to contend.

Like Coburg, ILO Jacob doesn't have the physical capability to do it. He's a solid, but sideways midfielder who doesn't take ground and doesn't have another role.

That's without going into his defensive inadequacies. Not ideal.

 

[Daigoro]

he was in the All Australian squad of 40 in 2021. Top 3 in Giants BNF 3 times. He's a gun. We didn't see his best enough, but saw glimpes ( Crows game before his injury he was fantastic)

This. He will be good for us when injury free

 

[Stylo]

I said it when we recruited him.

He's done nothing to disprove that yet.

I don't think he'll be best 22 by mid year.

One of the worst takes I’ve seen on PRE in >10 years

Question his body, sure, but his ability? Bonkers.

 

[Freezer]

If you're body won't do what you want it to, you're unfit.

At least that's what I tell myself.

That’s usually called constipation.

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

It may be a controversial opinion, but I said it when we recruited him, and it's been right to date.

I'd wager it's right again this time next year.

I'll double that by saying Sonsie easily outperforms him.

vSony vs Hopper

 

[Dyer'ere]

If you're body won't do what you want it to, you're unfit.

Unsound might be a more precise word/idea, Olds. Although when blokes can't walk (Dion Prestia much of 2023) they can't train and then they're unfit too.

On Hopper and Richmond fans, I think there was too high an estimation of Hopper's talent by a lot of fans and when that bubble burst there was soon a strong reaction to the Hopper = Champion myth.

For the record, I'm historically a Hopper hater. I think he's dumb. And a major soundness risk. But I've come around a bit. I've noticed how well he learns. He reminds me a bit of Grigg in that respect. NB Hopper has much better Ball Winning Ability than Grigg but started out dumber.

If we can get him sound I think he can be more than useful.

One more thing. If Hopper doesn't put in it's because he can't walk.

 

[Nico]

I don't see what he gives us this year. Maybe after Dusty and Dion retire we'll need him.

Midfielders in the best 22 would be:

Dusty Prestia Bolton Taranto Graham Sonsie

Also, I reckon we'll see lots of: Ross, Dow, Campbell.

Also think Baker is a chance to play mid given the number of small running backs.

I don't see a need for Hopper.

Think it's very unfair to judge Hopper in 2023 given his issues.

Why do we need him? Midfield depth. Never want to get back to the days of having no midfield if Prestia and co are missing.

The 2 things I liked about him was his awareness, ie. rarely getting caught with the ball. (I mentioned this to a mate during a game and of course he got caught the moment I said it ). The other is lowering his eyes going into the 50 rather than bombing it to the goal square.

I actually think he's going to be our Barometer (without being a d!ck). Get Lynch, Gibcus and Hopper firing and we're a completely different team.

 

[spook]

On Hopper and Richmond fans, I think there was too high an estimation of Hopper's talent by a lot of fans and when that bubble burst there was soon a strong reaction to the Hopper = Champion myth.

Yeah, some were super keen on Hopper and now not so much:

If Hopper is available would take him over Taranto every day.

More mobile, better skills, better tackler and defensively at a stoppage.

You'd assume they'd be worth similar trade/$$$ wise though Hopper is under contract.

Depends how keen GWS are to shed $$$ from their cap.

For a number of reasons Hopper clear number one of the gettable targets for leysy.

Completely agree with that. Though Hopper is better in that regard (covering the ground) - hence why should be targeted in front of the Tarantula.

Get it done for Hopper Blair.

 

[Leysy Days]

Yeah, some were super keen on Hopper and now not so much:

Geez playing a dirty game that!

And a guys is allowed to change his mind!

Might need to find some old Spook Travis Head posts...