Draftee Jacob Hopper hopes that a strong showing in Wednesday’s intra-club match will help him lock down a spot when the GIANTS’ NAB Challenge campaign kicks off next week.
After being selected with pick 7 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, it’s been a summer of learning for Hopper who’s trained closely with a number of the GIANTS’ star midfielders.
With this week’s intra-club just around the corner, Hopper said he and the three other draftees from the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy are looking forward to the first real hit-out of 2016.
“I’m really looking forward to having our first proper match set-up and really looking forward to matching up against some of the boys and learning from the boys again,” Hopper said.
“I’m really trying to put my best foot forward and hopefully get a chance in the NAB Challenge as well.”
The midfielder has wasted no time settling in to his new surrounds, and despite referring to himself as the “father” of the draftees, the mature 19-year old has taken every opportunity to learn off his more experienced teammates.
“Being a midfielder there are guys like Callan Ward and Cogs (Stephen Coniglio), Dyl Shiel and Greeney (Toby Greene) and those type of boys who are really good contested players and really good midfielders so I’ve tried to get under their wings and learn as much as I can.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning from the best and matching up with the best has helped me get better.”
Hopper is treating every training session as a chance to better himself ahead of his debut season and said he felt comfortable mixing it with many of the GIANTS’ best in a recent match practice session.
“It was really nice to get my hands on the footy but at the same time I’ve got a lot of things to work on and a long way to go so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and put my best foot forward as we get into some more game practice and intra-club on Wednesday and then hopefully get a chance in the NAB Challenge.”
Members and fans are welcome to come and watch the GIANTS’ intra-club with all available players to be split into two teams to compete against each other over four 25-minute quarters.
The match begins at 9am on Wednesay at the club’s training and administration base at 1 Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park. Please note there is no parking on-site.
There’ll be a barbecue and the GIANTS cafe open for food and coffee to purchase.
The GIANTS’ NAB Challenge gets underway in Canberra against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday February 25.
Eight days later the GIANTS come up against cross-town rivals the Swans under lights at Drummoyne Oval, before rounding out the pre-season with a match against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium (Gold Coast) on Sunday, March 13.
