Star GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper resists interest from Victorian clubs to sign two-year contract extension
GWS has locked away one of its out-of-contract midfielders, who has tipped two other stars will follow his lead soon.
Jacob Hopper has become the latest GWS star to jump on the Giants bus, and he remains confident Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio are only a couple of stops away.
In the early years of the club, Giants players were nervous about being the only ones left standing if they signed on the dotted line and others jumped ship.
But the evolution of GWS from a transit lounge to a permanent residence is well underway, with Hopper’s two-year contract extension a major boost for a club shaping as early premiership contenders.
It’s understood Carlton would have considered Hopper at pick No. 1 in the 2015 draft and if he wasn’t in the GWS academy he might have gone there.
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Ever since Hopper has been one of many Giants young guns tipped to inevitably shift south to Victoria, but the NSW-born midfielder says he is yet to give leaving GWS any serious consideration.
After Harry Himmelberg, Matt de Boer and Adam Kennedy also committed to new deals, Hopper hopes good mates Kelly and Coniglio are about to follow suit.
“Obviously being close with both of the boys, it’s not something we talk about too regularly but I know that they’ve got extreme passion for the football club,” said Hopper.
“They’ll make a decision when they want to and when they see the timing is right. Hopefully a decision can come soon because of course I love them and I want them to stay. Hopefully that’s not too far around the corner.
“The relationships you make within a football club are really important. Seeing guys like Harry Himmelberg and Adam Kennedy and Matt de Boer has been something that’s been really cool and there seems a rhythm with it now.
“Boys are wanting to jump on board.
“Of course you keep an eye out (on what others are doing) and make sure this group is staying together.
“It’s a really unique group and the connection amongst the group is something really special.”
The Hooper boon was backed up by another major milestone for the Giants last night, with 25,282 memberships posted for the season — a new membership record for the club.
GWS are more than 3000 members up on where they were this time last year, and 4000 of those are in Canberra where the Giants take on Fremantle on Saturday.
Hopper has been one of the Giants’ revelations this year following the departure of star midfielders Dylan Shiel and Tom Scully in the off-season, and now the season-ending injury to spiritual leader Callan Ward.
He is embracing his role as a leader of the next generation.
“I think coming through the academy as well was massive and really important,” he said.
“The club has been so good to me and my family and the care they’ve shown to my family and friends has been really special.
“Being NSW born, there’s some real pride in staying here and creating our own history as well and trying to play the best footy we can.”
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