DETAIL IN TIGERS’ HOPPER OFFER CATS REFUSED TO MATCHJon Ralph
HeraldSun
10 September 2022Greater Western Sydney star Jacob Hopper has chosen Richmond as his preferred trade destination with the emerging star keen to join the Tigers on a seven-year deal.
Hopper is set to be part of an astonishing trade double act that will see the Tigers recharge their midfield with Hopper hopeful GWS will grant him a trade request to join his mate Tim Taranto.
Geelong had been a strong suitor for Hopper, who is a GWS academy player growing up in the small Riverine town of Leeton but boarded in Ballarat while at St Patrick’s College.
But the Tigers are believed to have pitched a more lucrative deal and have also offered seven seasons, which the Cats were not prepared to match.
The Cats will now plan their next move and are still keen on GWS teammate Tanner Bruhn, unwilling to significantly up their offer given they pay players in fairly strict bands to ensure fairness across the list.
Hopper headed overseas on Thursday morning and before that his management firm Connors Sports informed the Cats that if he moved the Tigers would be his likely home instead of them.
But unlike the uncontracted Taranto Hopper has a deal through to 2023 so Richmond will have to stump up a significant deal involving multiple picks or he will remain at GWS.
Richmond has long believed it could secure one of the Giants midfielders given the tight salary cap that GWS is trying to rectify this year.
But to secure both Taranto and Hopper will immediately put the Tigers back in as premiership contenders if it can orchestrate trades for the pair.
It seems likely Richmond will have to hand over most of picks 12, 19, 30 and next year’s future first-rounder for the pair and potentially throw in a player like ruckman Ivan Soldo.
GWS will ask for two first rounders for Taranto but the market for experienced mids of his quality in recent years has normally been two first-rounders with a second-rounder handed back.
What will Richmond need to give up in trades for Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto?* Picks 12, 19 and a future-first
* Picks 12, 19, a future-first and player
* Picks 12 and 19
* Pick 12 and a future first-round pick
* Another combination of players/picks
Richmond believes Taranto’s vast tank will allow him to play as a more defensive mid who wins key stoppages but then can two-way run and allow Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin to play a more offensive role.
Hopper, a former No. 7 draft pick, had his 2022 season ruined by a knee injury but last year averaged 26 disposals, 98 ranking points, 12 contested possessions and 6.3 stoppages a game.
At only 25 the Tigers will believe they can get 150 exceptional games from him and keep their premiership window wide open.
For Geelong the decision is a setback but the emergence of Max Holmes and Tom Atkins as an inside midfielder means they will not be short of midfield options.
Bruhn, a number 12 draft pick at GWS, has interest from Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the Cats but has plenty of time to decide his future.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2022-latest-trade-free-agency-and-contract-updates/news-story/2cbcf5e26fce931a5bab363774a3dd9f
