Preview Round 2: St.Kilda v West Coast - Domain Stadium (A), Saturday 1 April 2017, 4:40pm (7:40pm AEST)

[aussierulesrules]

I reckon if Stevens stays off the oysters he could fall behind him pretty quickly too.

Absolutely. He's shown in the last couple of years that when he's fit and in form he can consistently get 22+ disposals when given a consistent go in the middle or wing and is probably just as capable defensively as Luke as well (was in our top 2 or 3 for tackles and pressure acts in both his JLT games). On top of that he has far better running ability (both tank and definitely speed wise I'd say) and has the versatility to be able to play wing or HFF when he's not in the guts, which means we don't have him taking up a valuable spot on the bench as much as Luke does.

This is part of the reason we could definitely have a better midfield this year. Last year Luke was clearly no.4 in the pecking order (with a big gap to no.5), but this year he's possibly going to be behind Steven, Armo, Ross, Steele, Stevens and hopefully Acres, so he could be as far down as 7th- even if he improves a bit on what he was producing last year!

 

[StCicatriz]

Absolutely. He's shown in the last couple of years that when he's fit and in form he can consistently get 22+ disposals when given a consistent go in the middle or wing and is probably just as capable defensively as Luke as well (was in our top 2 or 3 for tackles and pressure acts in both his JLT games). On top of that he has far better running ability (both tank and definitely speed wise I'd say) and has the versatility to be able to play wing or HFF when he's not in the guts, which means we don't have him taking up a valuable spot on the bench as much as Luke does.

What type of player is hopper

 

[aussierulesrules]

What type of player is hopper

The best way to describe him I'd say is that he is a big "bull". A brute. Like a bigger, better, more consistent version of Armo.

188cm, strongly built, probably no obvious weaknesses in his game, hence supposedly he would have been right in the mix to go at pick 1 instead of Weitering had he not been in GWS's academy. Is meant to have a bit of strut like a lot of the best like Carey and co have. He's good and he knows it and will boss teams.

All the evidence suggests that he is better than Steele (who looks bloody good!) and I think where Jack is probably more of a "distributer", like say Rockliff, Hopper is possibly someone who will get the ball moving forward more himself.

I used to follow his progress in his draft year in the paper and week after week it was : "Best: Nth Ballarat: Hopper"

Just week after week he was named as their best, so he looks like the type of guy who you can really bank on to just produce week after week after week, at a very high level.

Have him and Steel in our midfield playing at or near their best most of the time for the next 10+ years and we ought to be able to compete with pretty much any team on the inside over that time. And I think we'll need to, with a team like Melbourne having potentially Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Jones, Lewis (for the time being) and co in there, being fed by Gawn.

 

[StCicatriz]

The best way to describe him I'd say is that he is a big "bull". A brute. Like a bigger, better, more consistent version of Armo.

188cm, strongly built, probably no obvious weaknesses in his game, hence supposedly he would have been right in the mix to go at pick 1 instead of Weitering had he not been in GWS's academy. Is meant to have a bit of strut like a lot of the best like Carey and co have. He's good and he knows it and will boss teams.

All the evidence suggests that he is better than Steele (who looks bloody good!) and I think where Jack is probably more of a "distributer", like say Rockliff, Hopper is possibly someone who will get the ball moving forward more himself.

I used to follow his progress in his draft year in the paper and week after week it was : "Best: Nth Ballarat: Hopper"

Just week after week he was named as their best, so he looks like the type of guy who you can really bank on to just produce week after week after week, at a very high level.

Have him and Steel in our midfield playing at or near their best most of the time for the next 10+ years and we ought to be able to compete with pretty much any team on the inside over that time. And I think we'll need to, with a team like Melbourne having potentially Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Jones, Lewis (for the time being) and co in there, being fed by Gawn.

I'd rather him that rockliff. I like the idea of grabbing a young kid like we did with steele and developing them.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I'd rather him that rockliff. I like the idea of grabbing a young kid like we did with steele and developing them.

We have had a good time shopping at the gws store

 

[PrinceofSeaford]

I'd rather him that rockliff. I like the idea of grabbing a young kid like we did with steele and developing them.

This. I think we have a lot more time on our side to develop young kids than people think. Either that or they're still holding onto the hope of tasting success whilst our older brigade are still around.

 

[Geary Is GOAT]

We have had a good time shopping at the gws store

We've certainly done it a hell of a lot better than Carlton when we go shopping there. We seem to identify individuals who are both on the fringe and with talent to burn and make a plan for how we'll trade for them. Where as Carlton just seem to show up once the trade period starts and go "who will you give us for pick #20?

 

[Geary Is GOAT]

We've certainly done it a hell of a lot better than Carlton when we go shopping there. We seem to identify individuals who are both on the fringe and with talent to burn and make a plan for how we'll trade for them. Where as Carlton just seem to show up once the trade period starts and go "who will you give us for pick #20?

With the exception of Marchbank, he looks solid.

 

[gringo2011]

I'd rather him that rockliff. I like the idea of grabbing a young kid like we did with steele and developing them.

I think everyone else would like that idea as well. I heard the rumours of North offering a contract on Buddy terms for Kelly and if that happens then I can see a bit of open season with crazy terms as vic clubs try to lure back young talent. If Hopper comes out and plays to potential he's only going up and also has options open up. Teams like Collingwood, Geelong and Hawks all get the pick of them usually though. Rocky needs a bit of love from a team and I reckon he'll be away...although the rumours are that the hawks have a verbal agreement for him to come next year.

 

[saintsrfreak]

With the exception of Marchbank, he looks solid.

It's a shame we couldn't grab him, would be a great Dempster replacement. Who the hell knows why he chose Carlton of all places.

 

[gringo2011]

It's a shame we couldn't grab him, would be a great Dempster replacement. Who the hell knows why he chose Carlton of all places.

I image he's a brown paper bag ambassador.

 

[Hayes4PM]

With the exception of Marchbank, he looks solid.

Did you see his kicking last weekend though? Perhaps it's best we didn't get him. #Geary2.0

 

[Geary Is GOAT]

Did you see his kicking last weekend though? Perhaps it's best we didn't get him. #Geary2.0

I'd have to watch the game again but at the time it didn't so much so much that he was a shit kick but just making the wrong decisions on who to kick it too. Reckon that'll get worked out of his game with experience.

 

[Rors]

What type of player is hopper

A gun

Simple.

 

[Glen Buterol]

A gun

Simple.

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

 

[Diehard Saint]

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

Hmm...like choosing between your children

 

[Rors]

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

Hmmmm...... good question kent

 

[NarrowMind]

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

Hopper.

 

[PaddysurDaddy]

watched last years' gws v sydney final specifically to watch whitfield's game. Before I watched it I was very keen, but I found it a bit lack lustre, his running was a stand out, but other than that I didn't see much to get excited about. His disposal wasn't great in that game. I haven't seen many other games of his though, but his disposal against say billings' disposal - billings everyday of the week. Especially with a thirty touch game, there are enough touches in there to get a good idea of someone's ability. With that said it was a final so maybe I'm underrating him..

So if it's hopper vs whitfield. Hopper everyday of the week. Will be a player.

 

[JG22]

Billy and Sinclair have made the trip

 

[Glen Buterol]

Billy and Sinclair have made the trip

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sinc a late in. A lot of sore boys from last week.

 

[VDS66]

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

Acres u campaigner!

 

[Rors]

Scenario: both cost the same trade/money but you can only pick one

Whitfield vs Hopper

Florent

 

[JG22]

Billy and Sinclair have made the trip

As has DMac

Wouldn't mind him running and carrying on those wide expanses, probably hasn't done enough recently though.

 

[Mighty_sainter]

What type of player is hopper

Think back to Michael voss. An absolute animal. Is good an he knows it will be a top 5 inside mid in his prime