Jacob Hopper is traded to the Tigers in a swap for Richmond's future first-round pick and pick No.31 in this draft, with Hopper and late Giants picks (No.53 and 63) going back to the Tigers.
"Jacob has a skillset that we know can help us across the coming years, so it is very exciting to secure this trade with the Giants," Tigers general manager of football talent Blair Hartley said.
"At only 25, we believe Jacob's best is yet to come, and we look forward to him continuing to build off the outstanding seasons of AFL football he has already put together."
Clubs are circling Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jacob Hopper for a potential pre-agency move at the end of the 2022 season.
Geelong and Richmond are among the clubs linked to the star ball-winner, with recent industry discussion suggesting the 25-year-old, who has flirted with a trade to Victorian previously, could be gettable. Essendon, too, has previously looked at Hopper and would likely consider again.
Jacob Hopper has been cleared of structural damage and is being monitored in hospital after being concussed during an attempted smother against Port Adelaide.
Hopper dived to smother a kick from Karl Amon but arrived too late to affect the kick and was hit in the head by the Power midfielder's left boot as it followed through.
The Giants' medical staff were quickly on the scene to assess and care for Hopper and called for a stretcher to carry him from the field with his neck in a brace.
Stephen Coniglio will remain skipper of the Giants in 2021 while Toby Greene has been elevated to the role of vice-captain.
Phil Davis, Jacob Hopper, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer round out the club's leadership group.
"It's an honour to be vice-captain of a club that I love so much and that has given me so much in my life. Leadership is something I've worked really hard on developing. It's an area I want to continue to improve in," Greene said.
"I'm really proud to support 'Cogs' as our captain. We've got a really strong group that will drive us forward in 2021."
Tim Taranto caps a breakthrough 2019 season by winning the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the Giants' best and fairest.
In just his third season in the AFL, Taranto (222 votes) pipped Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron (220), with fellow young midfielder Jacob Hopper (218) third.
"His commitment and dedication on the training track and desire to improve himself is almost second to none and he’s been an important part of our football club since he walked in the doors three years ago," GWS coach Leon Cameron said about Taranto.
"To see a player in just his third year take his game to such a level is exciting to watch as a coach and we’re looking forward to his continued development over the coming years."
Jacob Hopper signs a two-year contract extension to remain at GWS until the end of 2021.
"I feel really responsible for the team and how we go on game day, and the love and care amongst the group makes it the closest group I've ever been involved with," Hopper said.
"It's something really special and I'm really looking forward to digging in for the next few seasons.
"Coming through the Academy was massive for me, and obviously being NSW born there's some real pride in staying here and creating our own history."
Jacob Hopper's uninterrupted pre-season has the young Giant confident he can take on more responsibility in the midfield.
The 22-year-old has had an excellent start to 2019, averaging 27 disposals a game across the first month of the season.
"I've had so many hiccups and injuries along the way. Last year was a good year where I got some rhythm, but I still didn't really have a pre-season before that," Hopper said.
"It's a bit different having a pre-season and feeling good heading into a year, and not having to try and convince myself that I'm fit and I've got the work under my belt.
"In the past I was almost trying to trick myself that I'd done the work and I'd done a pre-season when I probably had only done a maximum of 20 per cent of the work. It was good having full faith in my body and knowing I have the work under belt and that I can give it my all."
Jacob Hopper reveals he had to overcome a bout of glandular fever at the start of 2018 before having a breakout year.
"I knew something was wrong, I tried to come back for day one of pre-season and get going, but I was really crook," Hopper said.
"When we played Richmond in the prelim that year I was 89kg, then once I got sick I went back to mum and dad's in Leeton for a few weeks to rest up. When I arrived back to the club after that break I weighed in at 78kg.
"I couldn't eat, and I was vomiting a lot, and for about three weeks it was at its worst. It knocks you about and those who have had glandular fever would know it's a pretty shocking illness."
Jacob Hopper has played 10 straight games for the first time in his career, and finally looks settled at the highest level.
"The first two years I've been riddled with injuries so it's nice to playing some good footy again," Hopper said.
"It's just about getting used to the rigours of playing AFL footy. Now it's just about doing everything in my power to stay out there.
"I had an unlucky run but there's a lot of people around the League who have had the same. It's just about facing the reality of it and putting your head down to work as hard as you can."
Jacob Hopper says media speculation around Josh Kelly's future in 2017 helped alleviate the scrutiny surrounding his own contract situation.
"I’m not going to lie, it was a good thing Josh was in the headlines so much because he probably took a couple of bullets for me," Hopper said with a laugh.
"I was injured for such a large chunk of the year and I didn’t want to make a decision when I wasn’t in the greatest headspace, given I was plugging away in rehab.
"Once I started playing again, it wasn’t a hard decision to sign on.
"Josh’s situation was obviously more enhanced than mine but it was good to have some discussions with him about it and have that support there.
"We pulled some articles up every now and then about him and had a bit of a giggle about it and I think that banter helped as well."
Jacob Hopper signs a new two-year deal with GWS that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.
"This is my home and where I want to play football. I’m so excited for what’s to come with this group and I absolutely want to be a part of it," Hopper said.
"Heading into finals there is a really good buzz around the place and we're all excited for the challenge ahead."
Clubs continue to circle Jacob Hopper as the midfielder delays a call on his contract situation with the Giants.
Hopper's original two-year contract expires with the Giants at the end of this season, and he is unlikely to make a decision on his next move until then. He hasn't played since round seven since injuring his finger and subsequently his ankle at training.
Jacob Hopper will miss at least a month due to a rolled ankle sustained during a training session.
It continues a frustrating second season for the 20-year-old who had a delayed start to the year because of back soreness, then played just six games before needing surgery to repair a badly broken finger suffered against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in round seven.
Jacob Hopper is set to miss six weeks with a back injury.
Hopper was managed and missed the game against the Blues, but after undergoing a check-up over the weekend, it was discovered he has a stress fracture in his lower back.
"Jacob (Hopper) had some discomfort in his back and due to the nature of the issue and his history, he underwent scans that revealed an incomplete stress injury," David Joyce, Giants' head of athletic performance, said.
"This is disappointing news as Jacob has made a great start to his AFL career this season but due to his age and the stage of his career, we'll be taking an aggressively cautious approach."
Jacob Hopper has an outstanding debut in Greater Western Sydney's thumping 91-point victory over Gold Coast, amassing 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions and nine clearances to be the round eight nominee for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.
Hopper credits the controversial northern academies for helping to prepare him for what shapes as a distinguished career at Greater Western Sydney.
"It provides a distinct pathway for those of us from rural areas," Hopper said.
"For boys like me, the academy is crucial for the growth of our game."
Jacob Hopper makes his AFL debut for GWS with 32 disposals (13 kicks and 19 handballs), 5 marks and 2 tackles in a 91-point win over Gold Coast.
Thursday, 12 May 2016
Jacob Hopper will play his first senior game for the Giants against Gold Coast at Spotless stadium on Saturday, but the footy world might have seen him sooner if not for a freak accident on Anzac Day.
It started off as a routine recovery session but when Hopper and some GWS teammates added a footy to the equation, a misjudged dive into a pool left him with facial cuts and mild whiplash.
He'd racked up 68 possessions in his previous two NEAFL games prior to the Giants' clash with Hawthorn in round six and was close to breaking into the senior team.
But his injuries forced him to miss the match that week, and the 19-year-old told AFL.com.au that he was fearful he had blown his chances of ever earning a senior debut.
"That was probably my first initial thought and it probably did cost me a game against the Hawks," he said.
"Once I got past that though I was just appreciative of the fact that I didn't do anything to my neck or my head.
"It rocked me a little bit and I can laugh about it now, but I was really lucky I didn't do anything worse.
"It wasn't my finest moment and I've gone over it a thousand times in my head, but I still don't know how I managed to do it."
GWS select Jacob Hopper with pick No.7 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after matching Gold Coast's bid.
"He's an inside midfielder, really tough, hard and a good stoppage player. He can go forward and kick goals, is a good size and a real competitive animal," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.