Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper on his trade, injuries and the young Tigers

Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper has opened up about his high-profile trade from GWS, his injuries, and the young guns at Punt Rd.

Jacob Hopper admits he did dream of extending Richmond’s dynasty but says his high-profile trade has brought “so much more” than success.

Hopper, 28, was traded from GWS in 2022 at the back end of the Tigers’ golden run of flags.

Along with fellow Giant-turned-Tiger Tim Taranto, Hopper was viewed as one of the new leaders of an ageing list desperate for more success.

Hopper concedes the lure of a premiership played a part in his decision to leave the Giants after 114 games but is “loving footy” as a Tiger amid their complete rebuild.

“I think, for me and for Tim – I don’t want to speak for him – it was coming to the footy club because we loved the footy club and the people within it,” Hopper said.

“There’s been some change in personnel, but I trust the people who are being brought in are Richmond people.

“Honestly, I love being a Richmond man, I have loved my time so far at the footy club.

“It hasn’t gone exactly how you probably would have dreamt it, but it has offered so much more.

“The relationships I have made, the connections I have made, I feel like I am loving my footy even though I haven’t been able to play as much as I would’ve liked to.”

Jacob Hopper poses for his first photo as a Richmond player after being traded from GWS in 2022.

Hopper has played only 28 games as a Tiger across two seasons but is growing trust in his body after a horror run with injury.

He has turned to pilates as one of several remedies to his injury woes and has lauded Richmond’s new high performance manager Ben Serpell.

“The body is pretty good, it’s in one of those positions where we’ve got a ton of work in,” he said.

“For me and for a lot of the boys, it’s been great to get a lot of us out there and play more footy together, train more, get more run in the legs.

“It’s helped having so many new faces come in as well. Hopefully, they push us and we can help accelerate them as quickly as we can as well.

“It’s been a really good pre-season, it’s been hard work. Benny Serpell has come in and been unreal, we’re all in a really good spot – we’re just looking forward to playing against opposition now, not each other.”

He is growing trust in his body after several injury setbacks have slowed down his progress as a Tiger. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Richmond’s slate of new faces is a familiar picture for Hopper, who was drafted to the Giants after their fourth season in the competition.

He says the Tigers’ eight draft picks are the future and he plans to help fast-track them into stars as quickly as possible.

“It’s probably the first time I have felt it (age) a bit, I’m like, ‘Geez, I am a bit of an older guy here’,” he said.

“It’s not too unfamiliar with my background having a lot of kids come in who just want to play footy, but it’s still unique to have eight come in.

“To be honest, they’ve all been brilliant. It’s been about first and foremost establishing relationships and who they are as people.

“Then it’s been about ‘how can we fast-track them as soon as possible’? Because the reality is we need them right now.

“It’s incredibly exciting for them and for the footy club because they’re the future … them coming in and bringing that effort and energy has been brilliant for us.”

Hopper is used to seeing a rather young group at training, having started at GWS in its infancy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hopper is excited by each of Richmond’s newcomers but is liking dynamic forward Harry Armstrong.

Armstrong, a 195cm left-footer, drew comparisons to Hopper’s former teammate Jeremy Cameron by his Haileybury College coach and Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd last year.

Hopper didn’t want to put the same comparison on Armstrong but is enjoying seeing him with Tom Lynch inside 50 this pre-season.

“Big H has been really good down forward, I like how he’s a continually head down, work hard operator,” Hopper said.

New draftee Harry Armstrong (left) has impressed Hopper. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think you’re always trying to make those sort of comparisons. I don’t know who H reminds me of but he’s that in-between height, good above his head but good below his knees as well.

“Working with a young forward like that who I just believe in so much already is super exciting. I think it really helps Lynchy as well who can help him.”

Originally published as Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper on his trade, injuries and the young Tigers