GREATER Western Sydney's 2015 top draft pick Jacob Hopper is hoping to cause a splash in his AFL debut, and for his own sake, let's hope he dives into packs better than he does in the pool.
Hopper will play his first senior game for the Giants against Gold Coast at Spotless stadium on Saturday, but the footy world might have seen him sooner if not for a freak accident on Anzac Day.
It started off as a routine recovery session but when Hopper and some GWS teammates added a footy to the equation, a misjudged dive into a pool left him with facial cuts and mild whiplash.
He'd racked up 68 possessions in his previous two NEAFL games prior to the Giants' clash with Hawthorn in round six and was close to breaking into the senior team.
But his injuries forced him to miss the match that week, and the 19-year-old told AFL.com.au that he was fearful he had blown his chances of ever earning a senior debut.
"That was probably my first initial thought and it probably did cost me a game against the Hawks," he said.
"Once I got past that though I was just appreciative of the fact that I didn't do anything to my neck or my head.
"It rocked me a little bit and I can laugh about it now, but I was really lucky I didn't do anything worse.
"It wasn't my finest moment and I've gone over it a thousand times in my head, but I still don't know how I managed to do it."
Jacob Hopper will debut against Gold Coast on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
As you can imagine, his GWS teammates were full of sympathy.
"Initially they were pretty concerned about my neck, but once the scans came back clear I copped it a bit, which was to be expected," Hopper laughed.
The powerfully built midfielder – taken by the Giants with their first draft selection, and number seven overall in 2015 - was tipped to push for selection for the Giants' season opener against Melbourne at the MCG, and when he wasn't picked, Hopper admits he was disappointed.
Despite being frustrated at being overlooked by coach Leon Cameron, Hopper has worked hard under the guidance of GWS midfield coaches Luke Power and Lenny Hayes, and his form has been consistently outstanding at the lower level.
In four NEAFL appearances this season, Hopper has averaged almost 31 disposals, 17 of them contested, six clearances and five tackles per game, and he's sitting fifth on the NEAFL MVP leaderboard after round six.
His disappointment and frustration now replaced by excitement, especially with a chance that he could find himself standing alongside Suns' captain and dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett this week.
"Oh yeah, I'll put my hand up to play against anyone," he laughed.
"It's something that really excites me, it's obviously going to be a huge challenge but hopefully I can step up to the plate.
"I think that's pretty much the direction for me.
"I just have to play my game, soak it up, hunt the footy and do what I do best."
As news of the debut travels around the footy world, you can just about hear the grumbles crossing the New South Wales border from down south, with Hopper unwittingly becoming the post boy of the Giants' academy debate.
The boy from Leeton is well aware of the controversy surrounding his club's access to the Riverina region, but said he'll leave the bickering and the decision-making to the powers that be.
"It's a pretty hot and heated debate at the moment," Hopper said.
"I said it last year I think the academy is really important to the Riverina because it's so rural and isolated.
"You need that pathway, the opportunity and direction for those kids that are coming through.
"At the same time, I don't want to get too caught up in it because I'm just trying to worry about getting a kick now."
