Jacob Hopper says the Tigers will relish the chance to correct their form against MelbourneGlenn McFarlane
HeraldSun
23 April 2023Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper isn’t fazed by the criticism levelled at the club’s midfield over its centre clearance concerns this season, insisting Monday night’s Anzac Eve game against Melbourne provides the perfect platform to turn it around.
Hopper is the first to concede it hasn’t been a smooth start to 2023 for the Tigers, with the club having won only one game so far this season.
An injury crisis hasn’t helped their cause, with a number of critics suggesting the club’s premiership window has shut with one saying the Tigers “sold the farm” by offering Hopper and Tim Taranto seven-year deals to leave the Giants for Punt Rd.
None of the talk worries 26-year-old Hopper, whose focus is far more on getting an outcome against the Demons than worrying about what the outside world is saying about his club.
“That’s all part of the game, people are always going to comment on things when you aren’t winning games,” Hopper explained. “But if you look at it, we haven’t had a lot of things go our way. If a few of those results had gone the other way, it would be a very different story.”
“We are really good at focusing on what happens inside the four walls at the club and on being as honest as we can be. We haven’t quite been at our best, but we are really upbeat.
“I know it is harder to stay positive when you are not getting the outcomes. We feel like we are playing some good footy, we’ve just got to start finding a way to win some more games.”
Hopper has made a solid start to his time at Richmond, with his 32-disposal, five-clearance, five-tackle effort in the loss to the Swans last week his best showing in yellow and black.
But he knows there is plenty of improvement left.
Playing footy in the game’s heartland is something Hopper is relishing. It has provided him with the opportunity to play in front of the massive Tiger army, but it has also brought with it greater attention than he received in his 114 games across seven seasons with the Giants.
Some might see that as a double-edged sword, but Hopper wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You can’t have one without the other,” the 26-year-old said. “You have to embrace it all.”
“You get a greater exposure to the game here (in Melbourne) and you get to experience massive games such as Anzac Eve. The spotlight is there, you cannot shy away from it.”
Hopper said the transition to the Tigers has been seamless from a personal perspective, made all the more easier by having his great mate Taranto joining the club at the same time.
“It’s been a great transition,” he said. “I am truly loving it, it’s an incredible experience to come to such a great club, and to forge relationships with great people.
“We will continue to forge those relationships … It really feels like home for me now.
“I’ve got my buddy here (Taranto) so that has been huge for me, especially in the early stages. It was great to have the support network as we’ve played a lot of footy together.”
Hopper said the prospect of playing in blockbuster games such as Anzac Eve played a part in his decision to choose Richmond as his preferred destination late last year.
He was traded to Punt Rd for pick 34 last year and the Tigers’ first round pick in 2023, while teammate Taranto was traded for picks 13 and 22 last year.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s one of those games I am super excited to be a part of,” he said. “It will be a big test too. Melbourne is a great team and it’s a great occasion.”
“We are embracing everything about it (Anzac Eve) and listening to the stories.”
Like the Tigers, the Demons are coming off a disappointing Gather Round experience, and Hopper expects Melbourne’s midfield to come out firing.
“They have got some guys who are playing great footy, and they have a fair few who can go through there as well,” he said.
“In a weird way, we are looking forward to it. It is a good opportunity for us. If we can win games like these, it’s the games where memories are made.”
Hopper managed only seven games last year in his final season with the Giants, due to a nagging knee complaint he struggled to shake off. He missed a game due to a knee knock earlier this year, but says he feels fit and raring to go … and he’s grateful to be back playing regularly again.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-round-6-2023-jacob-hopper-says-the-tigers-will-relish-the-chance-to-correct-their-form-against-melbourne/news-story/cbb9ba551f421c2e9c1bde726d75a63e
