Infectious Andrew Hooper sends Western Bulldogs wild

Mark Stevens
From:Sunday Herald Sun
September 11, 2010

THE Western Bulldogs were not exaggerating when they declared first-gamer Andrew Hooper was worth the risk for some spark.

Hooper, all 172cm of him, had just five disposals last night - but he had a giant influence.

In the final 30 seconds of the second term, with Sydney seemingly in control, Hooper led out and received the slightest of pushes in the back.

The first finals debutant in 25 years gleefully took the free and wobbled a goal through from 40m.

He produced one of the celebrations of the year, fisting the air with the confidence of a 200-game veteran.

It was infectious.

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It was infectious , I punched the air from 600klm away.

Courage to play him first up in a final. IMHO it was the difference. Hooper kicking that goal before half time was the spark that got us going.

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Originally Posted by angelopetraglia

Courage to play him first up in a final. IMHO it was the difference. Hooper kicking that goal before half time was the spark that got us going.

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Agree totally and cerrtainly proves what a differance taking a chance makes.

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Originally Posted by KT31

Agree totally and cerrtainly proves what a differance taking a chance makes.

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Absolutely. Just the fact you are taking a chance and trying something different creates hope

I might be the September Grinch, but I think Stevo has overstated Hoops' influence. Yes, the goal provided a great spark, but other things improved to get us back in the game and then in front. I thought it was a reasonable 1st game, but that's all. Here's hoping he backs up next week and has another good crack at it.

Player number 944 since we entered the league in 1925.

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Originally Posted by AndrewP6

I might be the September Grinch, but I think Stevo has overstated Hoops' influence. Yes, the goal provided a great spark, but other things improved to get us back in the game and then in front. I thought it was a reasonable 1st game, but that's all. Here's hoping he backs up next week and has another good crack at it.

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What did you want him to do , kick 6 goals and win it off hs boot ?
IMO just giving him a chance may have spurred on some players who have been below par thelast couple of weeks.

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Originally Posted by KT31

What did you want him to do , kick 6 goals and win it off hs boot ?
IMO just giving him a chance may have spurred on some players who have been below par thelast couple of weeks.

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I didn't say he was poor, just that Stevo exaggerated his influence.

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Originally Posted by AndrewP6

I didn't say he was poor, just that Stevo exaggerated his influence.

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Stevo may have overated his influence, but we won and IMO his selection may have helped.

I like the kid!
I totally agree with the statements that his goal turned some sort of mental block in their minds around, and even though I would not have admitted it at the time, that was the moment I thought "We got this".
Not sure if he'll play next week but I believe it was the taser in the arse the boys needed.

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Originally Posted by AndrewP6

I didn't say he was poor, just that Stevo exaggerated his influence.

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Agree with you AndrewP6.

The stats say he didn't register a tackle. Shame, as he seemed to chase hard all night - although I though he looked lost in the first quarter, as you'd expect from a debutant. He did get a free for which Shaggy took the kick though, and was probably unlucky a couple of times too (neutralised a 2 on 1 contest to keep the ball in our F50, something we missed all year). Hopefully he keeps his spot.

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Originally Posted by KT31

It was infectious , I punched the air from 600klm away.

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I belted the hell out of the seat in front of me, the tips of my fingers are still throbbing, holding the icey cold longnecks afterwards eased the pain...:D

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Originally Posted by angelopetraglia

Courage to play him first up in a final. IMHO it was the difference. Hooper kicking that goal before half time was the spark that got us going.

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Agreed, i thought that was the turning point in the game, seeing all the players run from everywhere was bloody great, it almost reminds of Hulk Hogan being totally down & out, then something clicks, he starts shaking, clenching the fists, and rises back from the dead, the spirit was back in the side.

You didn't see much of Hoops on TV, did he do a lot of presenting and was just over looked for Barry.

Just trying to Gage his work rate on the night.

Hotdog60, Hoops ran & ran. He did what was asked of him. not too many touches but opened the zone up for the likes of Bazza.
Hoops was sorely missed at Willy tho, and may have been who they needed to get over the line.

After seeing both Willy teams bow out, it was exciting to have a win and proceed to our 3rd Prelim in a row.

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Originally Posted by Hotdog60

You didn't see much of Hoops on TV, did he do a lot of presenting and was just over looked for Barry.

Just trying to Gage his work rate on the night.

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He did a bit, got mobbed a couple of times leading...actually thought a couple of other frees might've been paid.

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Originally Posted by mighty_west

Agreed, i thought that was the turning point in the game, seeing all the players run from everywhere was bloody great, it almost reminds of Hulk Hogan being totally down & out, then something clicks, he starts shaking, clenching the fists, and rises back from the dead, the spirit was back in the side.

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He's like the Hulkster, just way, way, way, way, way, way, way smaller. ;) Useless Trivia # 15,612 - He was born a few months before Wrestlemania VI, the site of the famous Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior battle.

Is it too harsh to nickname him Chunk?

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...epot/chunk.gif

It's great to see a young player enthusiastic and committed. His celebration after his first goal was fantastic and great to see the excitement generated by it and the number of teammates that came to congratulate him. I remember another contest in the near the goal square where he put his body on the line and helped create a goal. He also showed that Sydney were worried about him as he led his opponent to the ball earning a couple of free kicks. I just hope he puts his head down and is able to continue to improve and become a regular in the side.

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Originally Posted by comrade

Is it too harsh to nickname him Chunk?

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...epot/chunk.gif

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No.

I tried to stop myself, but every time he was involved I kept shouting "go the little fat kid". :D

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Originally Posted by mighty_west

Agreed, i thought that was the turning point in the game, seeing all the players run from everywhere was bloody great, it almost reminds of Hulk Hogan being totally down & out, then something clicks, he starts shaking, clenching the fists, and rises back from the dead, the spirit was back in the side.

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"The Dogs are Hulking up!"

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Originally Posted by dfa4pm

No.

I tried to stop myself, but every time he was involved I kept shouting "go the little fat kid". :D

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I first saw Hoops at the intraclub game earlier this year and instinctively thought he had won a raffle where 1st prize was a chance to train with the team. :)

He didn't look like a league footballer back then, but I reckon he will be alright.

The last time I saw a celebration like that was when Justin Charles kicked a goal to put us just 48 points down with five minutes to go in the last quarter. Charlesy loved a goal.

I thought he was good for us last night but I don't think he stay in the line up if Morris will be right.

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Originally Posted by ratsmac

The last time I saw a celebration like that was when Justin Charles kicked a goal to put us just 48 points down with five minutes to go in the last quarter. Charlesy loved a goal.

I thought he was good for us last night but I don't think he stay in the line up if Morris will be right.

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I thought his celebration was very Tyson Lane like, NO ONE enjoyed his own goal more so than Lane.

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Originally Posted by comrade

Is it too harsh to nickname him Chunk?

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...epot/chunk.gif

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The Truffle Shuffle!! Love it!! :D