Play Hooper against the Pies

[Da Zuumas]

Although Hooper hasn't played an AFL game yet, he has been in good form for Willi over the past few weeks, and pretty consistent over the whole year.

He is a small forward who can go on the ball, giving us another rotation if required.

He has a strong body, which won't get easily pushed off the ball against the Pies, has some pace, and given the conditions are going to be wet, this would suit the old North Ballarat Rebels boy to a T.

And the most important thing (unless we haven't been told in injury reports), he is 100% fit.

Worth a shot IMO.

 

[_Mike_]

Blooding a rookie during the finals series can be a big risk, but at the present, the dogs really need to look at every option available

 

[DoggyStyle]

Although Hooper hasn't played an AFL game yet, he has been in good form for Willi over the past few weeks, and pretty consistent over the whole year.

He is a small forward who can go on the ball, giving us another rotation if required.

He has a strong body, which won't get easily pushed off the ball against the Pies, has some pace, and given the conditions are going to be wet, this would suit the old North Ballarat Rebels boy to a T.

And the most important thing (unless we haven't been told in injury reports), he is 100% fit.

Worth a shot IMO.

So you agree with Aker then ?? or are you infact Akers BF alias?

 

[Da Zuumas]

So you agree with Aker then ?? or are you infact Akers BF alias?

Neither, but I have said on different threads previously that I wouldn't mind seeing Hooper get a game because I think we have been deficient in the small forward position for a while.

It may be a bit daunting making your AFL debut in a finals game, but I think with injuries and weather becoming a factor, he could be handy.

 

[Dazb86]

I for one agree with Aker.

The most obvious thing Collingwood has done all year has been front running off the halfback (with great efficiency) to really put a sword to teams. We MUST play defensive forwards for this game and given our outs in the midfield I'd like to see us go one on one. Especially if it's raining.

Hooper while not really a crumbing player is similar to Picken in a sense that he gives his absolute all and will not die trying. If Eade was to give him a role he'd perform with 100% dedication. Worth the risk in my opinion.

I'd go as far to say I'd prefer Hooper in the side than Higgins. Higgins won't provide much defensive pressure or grunt work around the ball and if it's wet his skills diminish. Therefore a fully fit Hooper provides more than a 80% Higgins. IMO of course.

 

[TempleKelvington]

Not sure this should be a new thread as the issue of Hooper has been covered in other threads already.

But...I think he must be in the mix. I'm not at all worried about it being his first game. He's a very solid build so he won't be pushed about and he loves the hard stuff. He's also pretty smart footballer and currently is in good form.

It will prob depend on Johnson and Griffen. But I just hope he's at least somewhere on the radar.

 

[cosmicr]

does he have the tank?

 

[Turtle]

Watched the 2nd half of the Willy game last week and thought he was fantastic, would definitely like to see him in the side this week.

Addison deserved his call up and i although i could understand him playing forward last week to put pressure on the opposition, thought he would've been rotating through the midfield off the bench.

If we want a genuine forward pocket then Hooper is the man.
Having said that would still have Addison in, just in a different role to last week.

 

[maddog37]

So regardless of if he gets a game this week it seems the general consensus is that we have unearthed another good rookie???

Do Willi watchers think that with another preseason under his belt he will be a solid AFL senior player?

 

[Dogs Rule]

The thing I like about it is the surprise element.

Collingwood probably have no idea who he is, let alone his ability. Hell, what have we got to lose?

 

[Testekill]

So regardless of if he gets a game this week it seems the general consensus is that we have unearthed another good rookie???

Do Willi watchers think that with another preseason under his belt he will be a solid AFL senior player?

Yes. yes he will.

After all, 10 ten VFL goalkicker in his first year and has played well all year.

 

[_Mike_]

Yes. yes he will.

After all, 10 ten VFL goalkicker in his first year and has played well all year.

ten goal kicker? in one game, or total goals over the season?

 

[TempleKelvington]

So regardless of if he gets a game this week it seems the general consensus is that we have unearthed another good rookie???

Do Willi watchers think that with another preseason under his belt he will be a solid AFL senior player?

Yeah I think he'll play AFL. He's short. Stocky. Good one on one in a marking contest. Knows where the goals are has good skills. He has that little angry man syndrome about him.

His only knock would be his height. Not slow by any stretch but not super quick. Not sure if he could play midfield down the track, but could be a small back or small forward easily. I'm glad we picked him for sure.

 

[Testekill]

ten goal kicker? in one game, or total goals over the season?

I meant top ten goalkicker for the season in the VFL. He kicked 36 for the season and was in the best four times.

 

[frizzle]

The thing I like about it is the surprise element.

Collingwood probably have no idea who he is, let alone his ability. Hell, what have we got to lose?

I know who he is.
I was going to ask you guys about him a couple of weeks ago. Strikingly similar circumstances to Jarryd Blair for us.
Very talented but overlooked in the November draft because of height. Picked up in the rookie draft & now showing how good they are.
Best of luck to him, I have no doubt he will make the grade.

 

[Kelvin31]

Although Hooper hasn't played an AFL game yet, he has been in good form for Willi over the past few weeks, and pretty consistent over the whole year.

He is a small forward who can go on the ball, giving us another rotation if required.

He has a strong body, which won't get easily pushed off the ball against the Pies, has some pace, and given the conditions are going to be wet, this would suit the old North Ballarat Rebels boy to a T.

And the most important thing (unless we haven't been told in injury reports), he is 100% fit.

Worth a shot IMO.

Yes.
Worth a shot, we need some ground level pace in the Fwd line and he may be that x factor that Stack/Hill are not.
Drop Addison...not up to it yet....bring in Hooper.

 

[Dogs Rule]

I know who he is.
I was going to ask you guys about him a couple of weeks ago. Strikingly similar circumstances to Jarryd Blair for us.
Very talented but overlooked in the November draft because of height. Picked up in the rookie draft & now showing how good they are.
Best of luck to him, I have no doubt he will make the grade.

I'm staggered at the number of Collingwood supporters who have ventured over to the Bulldogs board this week.

I don't have a problem with it, just interesting.

 

[The_Bulldogs_Bite]

I know who he is.
I was going to ask you guys about him a couple of weeks ago. Strikingly similar circumstances to Jarryd Blair for us.
Very talented but overlooked in the November draft because of height. Picked up in the rookie draft & now showing how good they are.
Best of luck to him, I have no doubt he will make the grade.

Good post.

Very similar circumstances and I've been very impressed with Blair. He looks like he's going to be a 150+ gamer.

Hopefully Hooper can replicate Blair's good fortune.

 

[bigfella7]

EADE hasnt got the balls

 

[TempleKelvington]

I'm staggered at the number of Collingwood supporters who have ventured over to the Bulldogs board this week.

I don't have a problem with it, just interesting.

Yep I have noticed it also. Mostly they have been very nice apart from a couple. But I think it's called nerves. If we were them we'd be very nervous they have so much to lose...we however have it all to gain.....everyone expects us to get pumped....and I love it!

 

[The Coon Dog]

Interesting, he's selected as one of the 3 emergencies this week.

 

[Kelvin31]

Interesting, he's selected as one of the 3 emergencies this week.

Gee I hope Eade has the Kuhunas to through him in at the last minute.......would be great for the team to add some much needed unpredictability and enthusiasm.

 

[Testekill]

Yep I have noticed it also. Mostly they have been very nice apart from a couple. But I think it's called nerves. If we were them we'd be very nervous they have so much to lose...we however have it all to gain.....everyone expects us to get pumped....and I love it!

So long as they don't act like jackasses if they win (or if they lose well) then I'm fine with them coming around.

 

[BB1888]

EADE hasnt got the balls

I tend to agree.