GWS Giants academy product Jacob Hopper earns Rising Star nomination for Round 8

JACOB Hopper has been named the AFL’s latest Rising Star and now history beckons for the Giant-killing midfielder.

Giants Jacob Hopper earned the AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 8. Picture: Phil Hillyard

JACOB Hopper has been voted the AFL’s latest Rising Star and now history beckons for the Giant-killing midfielder.

Not too many players could say they’ve slayed Gary Ablett on debut, but everything about Hopper would suggest he’s no one-hit wonder.

Geelong captain Joel Selwood back in 2007 is the only player to ever be crowned the season’s Rising Star and win a premiership in the same season, but momentum is gathering quickly for both Hopper and the third-placed Giants.

Giants Jacob Hopper tackled by Gold Coast Suns’ star Gary Ablett. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Even in a GWS team stacked with players who have the potential to become the game’s next big names, Hopper stands tall as the first AFL debutant since 2010 to have over 30 possessions.

One game doesn’t make a season, but if Hopper can replicate the job he did on Ablett and the Gold Coast midfield this coming Sunday against heavies the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium — his chances of winning the overall Rising Star at year’s end will rise considerably.

Hopper, 19, urged himself last Saturday to just keep “cracking” Ablett all day, and it’s this Dogs of War mentality that has two cities, Sydney and Melbourne barking about the boy from where else, but the Riverina academy.

“Obviously it was a real honour and I watched a lot of (Ablett) play and everyone knows that he’s a superstar, so as good as it was I didn’t really want to get too caught up in it,” said Hopper.

“As soon as you start thinking about that type of stuff your footy drops off. I was like, ‘nah, just keep on playing, just keep on cracking him.’

“Adrenaline was still pumping on Saturday night and even a bit into Sunday. It was really important to celebrate it with the football club and family and friends but now I just want to knuckle down again.”

Swans rocket Dan Hannebery and the great Adam Goodes are the only Sydney-based players to ever win the AFL’s Rising Star — meaning Hopper could be in elite company if he continues to impress the judges and the Giants keep on winning.

“I can understand that it’s probably always going to be surrounding me the academy talk but for me I just really want to focus on getting a kick and keep trying to play my role and hold my place in the team.”

Hopper’s stunning debut in the 91-point dismantling of Gold Coast was made all the more incredible by the major neck scare Hopper received a few weeks ago when his head crunched into the bottom of a swimming pool after he dived too deep.

“I was just feeling pretty blessed that I was still walking around to be honest,” said Hopper, who suffered facial lacerations and neck pain.

“The doc said he’s seen a lot of pool related accidents that have ended up a lot worse.”

To understand Hopper, you need to know he’s from a huge family.

His father — and best mate — James is one of 13 children, and significantly, his 83-year-old grandmother was there to see his debut — Hopper climbing into a stand Pat Cash style after the win to greet her.

The crowd and atmosphere was severely lacking at Spotless against the Suns, an ongoing concern for the Giants, but as long as Hopper keeps playing the numbers will be healthy enough — with no less than 40 family and friends making their way up from the Riverina for the match.

“It’s tough trying to remember everyone’s name at Christmas time, it gets a bit hard,” Hopper joked.

Giants Jacob Hopper celebrates while singing the team song after his debut. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I love Nana, she’s a beautiful lady. I think anyone who can raise 13 kids is a pretty special person and it was really great I could share that with her because I know it was a pretty big effort from her to get to the ground so it meant a lot to me.

“Family is really important to me, we’re a really close-knit family and growing up in a small town like Leeton, the community becomes pretty close.”

Leeton might be a small town, but in the eyes of Melbourne’s big bosses like Eddie McGuire, the Riverina is big business.

Hopper said the furore going on surrounding the Giants’ access to talent-rich academies has not fazed him and he isn’t fussed if the Melbourne media continually associate academy with his name.

“I can understand that it’s probably always going to be surrounding me the academy talk but for me I just really want to focus on getting a kick and keep trying to play my role and hold my place in the team.”