Why Tigers pair Hopper and Taranto have every right to be seething (SEN)

[one-eyed]

“I would be that angry”: Why Tigers pair Hopper and Taranto have every right to be seething

By SEN
21 Aug 2024

Kane Cornes believes Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto have every right to be angry with Richmond.

The midfield pair were recruited from GWS in the 2022 trade period after the Tigers had been narrowly beaten by Brisbane in the Elimination Final.

It felt like the Tigers were still planning on contending under triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick in 2023 and beyond, only to currently find themselves sitting 18th on the back of a two-win campaign under Adem Yze.

Recent reports have indicated that contracted pair Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli are looking to move on with Fremantle and Gold Coast linked respectively. It is also a possibility that at least one of Liam Baker or Jack Graham leaves Punt Road at season’s end.

This whole situation led Kane Cornes and Sam Edmund to ponder on SEN’s Sportsday if Hopper and Taranto should be filthy with how things have panned out.

Cornes: “How would Hopper and Taranto be feeling?

“Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto were sold the dream under a coach (Damien Hardwick) that got out for his retirement plan and his superannuation and broke a contract because he was burnt out and then was happy to re-sign (with Gold Coast) not long after.

“Now there’s all of this mass exodus for a core group of players that want to leave.

“If I was Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto, I would be that angry right now.

“Not that anyone would probably pick up their contracts, but I'd almost have a look around if I was those two.”

Edmund: “You'd be bleeding, absolutely you’d be bleeding.”

Cornes: “And the Giants are flying again, their former club.

“It’s (Brett) Deledio all over again.”

Edmund: “The rug has been pulled out from under them and they can’t be blamed for that.

“You do feel for them there. It's a volcanic situation the player movement space and the coach moving space.”

A listener called in and pondered if Hopper would be regretting choosing Richmond over Geelong when he had the chance when leaving GWS.

Cornes somewhat agrees, but does believe the 27-year-old’s own individual form is well below what it should be.

“He’d be pretty frustrated,” Cornes said further.

“Hopper has got to play better as well. He’s got to take some responsibility.

“He’s a shadow of the player that he was at GWS. Richmond haven’t bought what they thought they are getting.”

Edmund added: “It’s a nightmare.

“You leave the Giants who might win the premiership this year, who knows. You go to Richmond who are 18th and bottoming out, and the club you could have gone to, Geelong, are going to finish top four again.”

Cornes concluded: “You thought you were going to be playing in front of 90,000 at the MCG every week.

“The reality is you’re going to be playing in front of 20,000 for the next four years with the way they’re going.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/08/20/i-would-be-that-angry-why-tigers-pair-hopper-and-taranto-have-every-right-to/

[Tiger Khosh]

Rubbish. No one held a gun to their head. The players on our list and their ages were there for everyone to see. They accepted the deals and are being paid handsomely for it.

[Andyy]

Agreed TK.

Sold the lie or not, so were the fans and the board.

They can feel better knowing they're getting paid about $30,000 every time they tie up their laces on game day, which lately is more than $1,000 every time they touch the ball.

Or ask for a trade and gagf?

[Knighter]

Kane Cornes is a stuffen moron.

[Hart4Jack]

Kane Cornes is a stuffen moron.

Very true Knighter.

[Damo]

Kane Cornes is a stuffen moron.

Very true Knighter.

Very true, Cornes is a moron

But TT especially has every right to be upset .. he was fed a heap of rubbish

[mat073]

I partially agree that Taranto and Hooper have been sold what looks like a lemon now .

But at the time , we were the highest scoring team in the competition. Went within a whisker of beating Brisbane at the Gabba in a final and did this without any meaningful contribution from Dusty .

Taranto has been a solid acquisition.

I feel like Richmond could equally feel jilted by Hooper , who’s done some nice things but looks as fragile as a Prestia .

I can see why GWS were happy for them to both walk . They may very well win the premiership without them .

[georgies31]

Regardless both have been rubbish this season anyway.

[pmac21]

Both boys need to man up and be leaders in 2025.  They may be doing that already.