IF Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jacob Hopper was a superstitious man you could understand if he wasn't interested in giving much attention to his best run of matches in the AFL.
Hopper, the Giants' top pick and No.7 overall at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, came to the club as a star graduate of the club's Academy system, but even before he'd played a game, bad luck haunted him.
He'd dominated the NEAFL before a freak accident in a pool on Anzac Day in his first season robbed him of the chance to make his debut against Hawthorn in round six.
After another fortnight of frustration he finally got his chance and burst onto the scene with 32 possessions and nine clearances against Gold Coast in round eight, and while he looked like being one of the game's brightest young prospects, a long list of issues has continued to halt his progression.
A long-running lower back problem, a minor heart procedure, a badly broken finger and a serious ankle injury are just some of the hurdles that limited the 21-year-old to just 23 games in his first two seasons.
But after the Giants expertly crafted Hopper's 2018 pre-season, he's now played 10 straight games for the first time in his career, and the tough onballer finally looks settled at the highest level.
"The first two years I've been riddled with injuries so it's nice to playing some good footy again," Hopper said.
"I think it's just about getting used to the rigours of playing AFL footy.
"You always try to do new things each year to get your body and your mindset in better shape, and now it's just about doing everything in my power to stay out there.
"Everyone wants to be out there playing senior footy and I had an unlucky run but there's a lot of people around the League who have had the same.
"I think it's just about facing the reality of it and putting your head down to work as hard as you can."
GWS coach Leon Cameron holds his young onballer in such high regard that he's a regular part of the team's midfield rotation alongside the likes of Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel whenever he's fit.
Hopper has been outstanding in the Giants' last four games before last week's mid-season bye, and Cameron said it's great reward for the hard work the young gun has put in.
"For every hard luck story we hear about, Jacob is a good one because he hasn't had the best of runs," he said.
"But his last month has been absolutely first-class.
"We know what he can do in and around stoppages with his contested ball, he's really, really good with his hands, and he's covering the ground really well.
"We're looking for Jacob to just keep getting better as each week goes on, he's learning his craft and we're rapt that he's one of those mids that has really turned the corner over the last month."
Hopper has played an important role in the Giants' mini-revival after their season looked headed for disaster when they lost four games in a row from rounds 7-10, and his leadership has been outstanding.
With Coniglio ruled out of the Gold Coast clash before last week's bye, Hopper racked up 29 disposals, 18 of those contested, and 12 clearances, to ensure his side held sway on the inside even without one of their best ball-winners.
"Being our vice-captain and a leader of our footy club, 'Cogs' is a massive player for us and we love having him in there," Hopper said.
"As a midfield unit we knew we were missing one of our soldiers, so it was really important that we all stepped up and made sure we replaced him as best we could."
They sit outside the eight at the moment, but Hopper said he has no doubt his side can still play finals if they can maintain their form on Saturday against Brisbane at the Gabba.
The Giants meet Hawthorn at home in round 15 before they take on West Coast (away), Richmond (home) and Port Adelaide (away), in three crucial matches that could shape their season.
