With an unbelievable 32 disposals in his first game for the GWS Giants, Jacob Hopper is the deserving Round 8: Rookie of the Week. Hopper played phenomenally, collecting 18 of his 32 possessions in the first half alone against the Suns – 17 of which were contested. Along with all these touches, he ended up with five marks and two tackles. The young gun was everywhere, and showed he has both an inside and outside game. His fantasy scores were just as impressive as he punched through sums of 97 AFL Fantasy points and 106 Supercoach points. This is some sensational input from a first gamer, even in a blow-out win, and although it is tough competition in the GWS Giants midfield you would think Hopper should get plenty more games from here. In his first four games this year for the Giants in the NEAFL, he had an average disposal count of 31, impossible to ignore. The Giants may have found themselves yet another fantasy star in the making, who also happens to originate from the academy.
The 18-year-old Hopper was recruited from the North Ballarat Football Club with pick seven in the 2015 AFL draft. Hopper had initially been chosen by Gold Coast in the first-round but as a Giants Academy graduate, the Giants chose to match that bid. Hopper, originally from NSW, moved to Victoria in 2014 and played for the North Ballarat Rebels for two seasons. Hopper won the NSW/ACT MVP and he also captained NSW/ACT at the NAB AFL Under-18 national championships last year. He was then named in the All-Australian team. With an average of 23 disposals in 12 TAC Cup games along with nearly seven clearances and five tackles, it was clear from the start that Hopper was talented. A big-bodied midfielder with the ability to play inside or outside, Hopper looks similar in style to bulldog Marcus Bontempelli. Hopper has an exceptional work-rate along with great composure when he has the ball.
Jacob Hopper had a TAC average of 95.4 AFL Fantasy points last year, with an even higher 118 average at an U/18 level. The impressive on-baller has a physique ready-made to perform at senior level this season and along with both inside and outside play, possesses the ability to drift forward and kick goals. He is owned by 47% of Ultimate Footy teams after playing just one game, and despite his inexperience, is a lock in any UF team in my eyes (a risk worth taking). It is hard to know for sure after just one game, but from what Hopper has shown at NEAFL level and in his first game, there is a very good chance he will continue scoring 70+ at AFL level if he gets games. On the Supercoach and AFL Fantasy front, hold off for a week and if he gets another gig in round 9 then he is definitely worth considering. Hopper joins a midfield already choc-a-block with proven scorers in Ward, Coniglio and Shiel among others, but should still shine brightly if given the chance.
Past Fantasy Rookie of the Week Nominees
Round 1: George Hewett
Round 2: Darcy Parish
Round 3: Jacob Weitering
Round 4: Callum Mills
Round 5: Peter Wright
Round 6: Jack Steele
Round 7: Joshua Wagner
Round 8: Jacob Hopper