AFL 2024: Jacob Hopper says Thomson Dow will lift Richmond midfield
A fifth-year Tiger who only just clung to his spot on Richmond’s list has been backed by a teammate to “make us better” in 2024.Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper says the addition of teammate Thomson Dow this season will improve the Tigers’ on-ball brigade as he expects a host of senior players to return for next week’s practice match against Collingwood.
Dow, 22, secured a one-year lifeline at Punt Road thanks to three impressive performances at the end of his fourth season, and was prolific again as a first-choice centre bounce option when the Tigers beat Melbourne in a scratch match at Casey Fields on Sunday.
Hopper said the younger brother of St Kilda midfielder Paddy was ready for a breakout season after a terrific summer.
“He’s one of those younger guys who’s had a really good pre-season and we’re excited about what he can bring to the table for us,” Hopper said on Wednesday.
“He’s going really well, so he’s definitely one of those guys that we think can help make us a better footy team.”
Dustin Martin is among a host of Richmond stars who Jacob Hopper expects to feature against Collingwood in next Tuesday’s pre-season game. Picture: Michael Klein
Dow will have a fight on his hands to secure a midfield spot in Opening Round though as Tim Taranto, Dustin Martin and Liam Baker all look set for minutes against Collingwood in the inaugural pre-season Charity Shield game next Tuesday.
Tigers captain Toby Nankervis is also expected to join the trio after he was managed against the Demons, but Dion Prestia is set to take longer to be ready to play as he battles a hamstring injury.
“I think most of those boys that didn’t play on the weekend will be gearing up to have a run around, just got to tick their final boxes I suppose,” Hopper said.
The 27-year-old former Giant, who arrived at Punt Road last season on a mega contract until the end of 2029, said his body was in “much better nick” after repeat injuries kept him to 16 games in 2023.
“I’m feeling really good. There was a bit going on (with injuries last year), but I suppose it’s part of footy and sometimes you just have to deal with that and manage that as best you can,” he said.
Along with Thomson Dow, Hopper (pictured) was at the most centre bounces for the Tigers on Sunday and had three clearances against Melbourne at Casey Fields. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images
“Everyone’s on top of it, everyone’s got a better understanding of my body now being a year in, so we’re all feeling good about the year coming.”
A quirk of Hopper’s move from GWS to Richmond is that after the Opening Round clash against Gold Coast he will have played for five different senior coaches in just 24 games.
He said he was still excited by the different atmosphere brought by a change in coach, as he backed Adem Yze’s initiative to paint over an internal wall with images from the Tigers’ three premierships under Damien Hardwick.
Jacob Hopper's coaches since 2022
GWS GIANTSLeon Cameron: one game
Mark McVeigh: six games
RICHMOND
Damien Hardwick: eight games
Andrew McQualter: eight games
Adem Yze: yet to play
“New faces, new philosophies, different messaging, different ways of doing things … it just creates natural change and an excitement, especially for guys who have known one way for so long,” Hopper said.
“To create that natural sort of change and new voice has got the whole group really bought in and excited about the year ahead and the footy that we’re going to play.
“I mean the (premiership references) are not down everywhere, because we definitely want to respect this great club that we play for and the success that they’ve had, but no doubt it’s such a new group.
“There’s so many new faces, so it’s about making it our own … the group we have now is what we are, and who we are is the Richmond Football Club.”
