HOPPER JOINS TIGERS IN GIANT TRADEJon Ralph
HeraldSun
12 October 2022Damien Hardwick will aggressively chase Tom Hafey’s record of four premierships as Richmond coach after a dream trade period that saw the Tigers secure Jacob Hopper without the loss of ruckman Ivan Soldo.
The Tigers on Tuesday clinched the Hopper trade deal by handing over pick 31 and a future first-rounder for the GWS midfielder, pick 53 and 63.
As the Herald Sun revealed on Monday, the Tigers were desperate to retain Canberra-raised Soldo because they believe the AFL will introduce a five-person bench next year that will allow them to play two rucks.
Instead of having to hand over the king’s ransom for Soldo the Tigers in effect handed over a future first-rounder they will hope is in the mid-teens and only gave up 345 draft points (equal to selection 45) in this year’s draft.
GWS was aware they secured a deal that favoured them when they received picks 12 and 19 for Tim Taranto so were happy to agree to the Hopper deal, with both parties satisfied the cumulative parts of the deal were a win-win.
The Tigers want to take some selections in November’s draft and 53 and 63 will be much higher in the draft order by the time rivals pass up some of their selections in a draft with about 50 live picks.
Three-time premiership coach Hardwick had said earlier this year he would depart Richmond when their premiership window had been slammed shut but instead it has been ripped back open.
The Tigers have secured two inside mids in Tim Taranto and Hopper to rejuvenate their midfield and believe they have elite kids only recently drafted and emerging players like Noah Balta, Shai Bolton and Liam Baker who will keep them in contention.
New GWS coach Adam Kingsley, who finished up at Richmond, is known to believe rucks must be able to contribute strongly around the ground if they are hold their spot in the side.
So in the end Richmond’s determination to keep Soldo and the Giants’ other trade priorities helped keep Soldo at Punt Road, 12 months after he knocked back a hefty Western Bulldogs offer.
Richmond list boss Blair Hartley said the seven-year deal offered to Hopper was reflective of the club’s long-term hopes for the former GWS academy player.
“Jacob has a skill set that we know can help us across the coming years, so it is very exciting to secure this trade with the Giants,” he added.
“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.
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