Actually did a great job combating Cripps. We usually get nailed to the wall by Carlton's mids. It's their biggest strength. Last night we broke even. Hopper was a big part of that. Dimma mentioned that he's at his best around stoppages and most of the stoppages were at either end of the ground where he wasn't. This is why his numbers weren't as big. Wait until we play at a smaller ground next week and watch his numbers sour.
He's also still learning our defensive system, so he'll try to balance between defence and offense. I just want to see more turnovers through the middle of the ground and that will only happen when our midfield improves their defensive zone to force teams to kick long down the line. At the moment, I feel it's the new midfielders like Hopper who are still learning that role, that are holding us back in this area.
Regardless, it's nice to have a bull around contests. I think he'll be a jet.
