East Meets West Family Day

[Before I Die]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

I don't know much about him (had to read up here on WOOF, and it's a pretty harsh call, but my first thought on seeing the rookies yesterday was "Who's the little fat bloke? (Andrew Hooper)...yes, I know he's probably just "solid" a la Brad Hardie...have to admit, I thought some fan had snuck upstairs and put on a Dogs shirt!!! Anyhoo, I'm sure the recruiters know their stuff..

I am not sure what her qualifications are, but apparently Katrina Gill thinks he has talent

Your club's next cult figure

Western Bulldogs

Andrew Hooper

Hooper, unlike most of the aforementioned players, doesn’t have the ‘x-factor’ usually associated with a cult figure, but he has the work ethic and determination to become a favourite among the Doggies’ faithful. The joint Larke Medallist was overlooked in November’s NAB AFL Draft because of his size (172cm) but can find his own ball and is bound to win some fans with his fierce attack at the footy.



Link to the full article at afl.com

[mighty_west]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

I don't know much about him (had to read up here on WOOF, and it's a pretty harsh call, but my first thought on seeing the rookies yesterday was "Who's the little fat bloke? (Andrew Hooper)...yes, I know he's probably just "solid" a la Brad Hardie...have to admit, I thought some fan had snuck upstairs and put on a Dogs shirt!!! Anyhoo, I'm sure the recruiters know their stuff..

Well, at least the kid doesn't need 3 or 4 years to put on some size...

Going by the video footage here he doesn't mind having a dip, he is a real goer.

http://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=6688&highlight=ANDREW+HOOPER

[always right]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

I had a mixed day. Took lots of video and then got back home and found that apart from a small amount of footage, when I thought it was on pause it was recording, and when I thought it was recording, it was on pause. Embarrassing....and annoying.

The good news is that I managed to get my mate to convert from the bombers to the bulldogs. The final clincher was attending the family day, getting his photo taken with Barry Hall and finally...having a chat with Rocket. Rocket has a great manner with people.

Enjoyed the day and thought the blokes looked in great condition. Even Grant and Bouman looked a lot stonger and Liam Jones is a very impressive unit who moves and kicks well. Aker was great with the supporters as were all the others. Barry even posed for a photo with a baby. I thought he was going to eat it.....the baby, not the photo

[The Coon Dog]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Rocket has a great manner with people.

Just ask Sockeye!

[always right]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Just ask Sockeye!

Please elaborate

[AndrewP6]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

. Barry even posed for a photo with a baby. I thought he was going to eat it.....the baby, not the photo

At one point during the kicking drills, BAZZA called for the ball, and it sounded like thunder! Bloke behind me said "Jeez, he even sounds scary!!"

[Axe Man]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Thanks for reports so far..

Was big Ayce out there? Where did he play?

Funnily enough I saw Ayce in San Remo on Saturday at about 12:30pm. I only noticed him because he had his bulldogs gear on (that and the fact he is rather tall), must have come straight down from East West day.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Ayce was there, not sure if he was in the drills as i believe he is still in rehab?

He has definately put some weight on but you wouldn't call him big. Still a long way to go for Ayce's body to be ready, i suspect he will take many years just like Luke Darcy did, hopefully he can have an impact as his body develops over the years.

The player i noticed was Eddie Prato, the basketball convert that we kept hidden from other teams until the rookie draft.

Prato kind of looks like a taller version of Ryan Griffen, very fit and athletic looking, can't say i saw enough of him to rate his skills but if he can ruck as well as he can move then he will be a great pickup.

[Missing Dog]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

I would say Cordy has a similar body shape to Fletcher & Westhoff, he will most likely never look big but provided he has sufficient strength to compete I will back him to use his smarts, ability & agility against opponents.

He will prove to be a very difficult matchup in years to come particularly closer to goals where his skills set make it hard to find a suitable opponent for.

[LostDoggy]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Thank you so much fellow WOOFers for the reports and photos. I was away & missed it, which is a shame, I really wanted to meet the WOOFers that were there. Family day maybe?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Please elaborate

My 6yo was so keen to kick some goals we were on the oval long after most had left.

As it happens Rocket had parked his car quite near the goals, and as I have met him on a number of occasions he came over to say hi. Dad got some serious cred with the boy when Rocket walks over and says, "hello, Jim".

Rocket then tickled my little bloke and posed for a couple of photos before spending 15 minutes chatting to me while the little bloke did his best to impress the coach so he would get drafted!

The most significant things Rocket said were that Moles kicking was way better than he (Rocket) realised and thinks he's a really good player and of the taller, young players, Liam Jones is the one they have highest hopes for.

[Before I Die]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

My 6yo was so keen to kick some goals we were on the oval long after most had left.

As it happens Rocket had parked his car quite near the goals, and as I have met him on a number of occasions he came over to say hi. Dad got some serious cred with the boy when Rocket walks over and says, "hello, Jim".

Rocket then tickled my little bloke and posed for a couple of photos before spending 15 minutes chatting to me while the little bloke did his best to impress the coach so he would get drafted!

The most significant things Rocket said were that Moles kicking was way better than he (Rocket) realised and thinks he's a really good player and of the taller, young players, Liam Jones is the one they have highest hopes for.

The context of that would be very interesting. Was it terms of as a true CHF, or as the best overall tall player? I don't think the former would be a complete shock, but if it is the latter than it is a huge wrap as Roughead (Ruck), Cordy (Ruck/Forward), Grant (FF) and Boumann (CHB/FB) all show promise. These guys don't give us true depth just yet, but they certaily make the future look promising.

[AndrewP6]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

Rocket has a great manner with people.

True, when I went to the 2008 family day, he was wondering around early in the piece and I got a pic, and had a good chat...seems very down to earth and approachable. I was too starstruck to glean anything more worthwhile!

Barry even posed for a photo with a baby. I thought he was going to eat it.....the baby, not the photo

Did anyone see as the players were heading towards the showers, BAZZA stopped and did a few autographs and pics, and when he went to leave, one disappointed young fan looked very downcast - BAZZA assured him he'd come back and he could see him then! The big softie...

[stefoid]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

The most significant things Rocket said were that Moles kicking was way better than he (Rocket) realised and thinks he's a really good player and of the taller, young players, Liam Jones is the one they have highest hopes for.

Glad to see Rocket and I see eye to eye on the Jones boy.

So Moles is Eagletons understudy, eh? interesting.

[Mantis]

Re: East Meets West Family Day

So Moles is Eagletons understudy, eh? interesting.

Why would you assume that?

The way I read it is that Moles was drafted as a 'hard-bodied' midfielder, but his kicking skills are better than what was thought of previously.