Tigers snatch Hopper from Cats

GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper has officially nominated Richmond as the club he wants to be traded to this off-season.

Hopper, 25, is contracted for next year, meaning a trade will need to be negotiated between the two clubs for him to get to Punt Road.

While he looks destined to wear yellow and black next season, Sportsday’s Sam McClure said Geelong, who was the other club that was keen on trading for Hopper, thought they had their man as early as Monday this week.

“Tim Taranto we know is going to sign a seven-year deal with Richmond when they organise a trade,” McClure said.

“Jacob Hopper… informed Richmond and Geelong today that he wanted to be traded to Richmond, he’s under contract so he’s going to remain quiet which makes sense in case the deal doesn’t go through.

“But Geelong as early as Monday thought they had their man, so something’s changed there.

“Damien Hardwick admitted on AFL 360 that they’d met Jacob Hopper on that day.”

The news of Hopper picking the Tigers came on the same day as it was confirmed that Dustin Martin would remain at the club, further bolstering the playing list for 2023.

“We can confirm that Dustin Martin will be remaining at Punt Road for at least next year,” McClure said.

“He has told management and told Richmond officials that he wishes to be part of the club going forward and will be there day one of pre-season when he’s required.”

With Taranto and Hopper joining Richmond in the primes of their careers, McClure believes the Tigers are set up for sustained success with a midfield group including the two recruits, Martin, Dion Prestia, Trent Cotchin and Tyler Sonsie among others.

“They’ve got two guys, one is 25 and one is 26,” McClure said.

“Admittedly, both of them have had difficult 12-month periods, coming off injuries, struggling with a little bit of form but we know how good they are at their best and how good Richmond are at getting their players to play at their best.

“Suddenly you’ve got a midfield where hopefully Dusty can get back to his best and you’ve got a midfield of Prestia, Taranto, Hopper, Cotchin is going through there, Dustin Martin is going through there, you’ve got a couple of young blokes, we know what Tyler Sonsie looks like he’s going to be.

“All of the sudden, Richmond have tricked us all again, not tricked us, but flipped this on its head and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to do a Geelong here’.

“That is sustained success, and this is how I reckon you do it.”

While some conjecture has surrounded how exactly Richmond satisfies GWS at the trade table, McClure was confident that both deals will get down.

“They’ll both get there,” he said.

Both Taranto and Hopper have reportedly been offered seven-year deals while Richmond are armed with picks 12, 19 and 30 in the upcoming draft and have the ability to give up a future first-round selection as well.

– BY LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN