Andrew Hooper
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{for|the English cricketer|Andrew Hooper (cricketer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Andrew Hooper
| image =
| fullname = Andrew Hooper
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|01|18|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| originalteam = North Ballarat Rebels (TAC Cup)
| draftpick = No. 35, 2010 Rookie Draft
| height = 172 cm
| weight = 83 kg
| position = Forward
| statsend = 2012
| years1 = 2010–2012
| club1 = {{AFL WB}}
| games_goals1 = 7 (7)
| careerhighlights = * Larke Medal 2009
}}
Andrew Hooper (born 18 January 1991) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). Hooper became the first player to make his VFL/AFL debut in a finals match since Paul Spargo in 1985.{{cite web|last=McDermott|first=Josh|title=Hooper won't be fazed|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/10/3008254.htm|publisher=ABC Ballarat|access-date=21 November 2010|date=10 September 2010}}
Junior career
Hooper began playing Australian rules football with Golden Point Football Club in the Ballarat Football League.{{cite web|last=Whelan|first=Melanie|title=REHAB REBELS WORK HARD TO KEEP DREAM ALIVE|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-3020-27610-0-0&sID=79288&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=10204976§ionID=79288|publisher=Official Website of the North Ballarat Rebels Football Club|access-date=21 November 2010|date=5 October 2009}} He then played for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup competition in 2009. Hooper was selected to play for the Victorian Country side at the AFL Under-18 Championships and he was the joint-winner of the Larke Medal, with David Swallow, awarded to the best and fairest player at the championships.{{cite web|last=Phelan|first=Jason|title=Swallow, Hooper 2009 Larke Medallists|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/79811/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704124224/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/79811/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 July 2009|publisher=AFL BigPond Network|access-date=21 November 2010|date=1 July 2009}} Despite tearing his calf muscle two weeks before the AFL Draft Camp, Hooper still participated, coming second in the agility test, third in the 20 m sprint and equal third in the standing vertical jump.
AFL career
Although Hooper had an impressive junior career, there were concerns that he would struggle at AFL level due to his small height of 172 cm.{{cite web|last=McDermott|first=Josh|last2=Parker|first2=Tom|title=Hooper recruited by the Bulldogs at the AFL rookie draft|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/12/15/2772431.htm|publisher=ABC Ballarat|access-date=21 November 2010|date=15 December 2009}} As such, he was overlooked in the 2009 National Draft, but was taken by the Western Bulldogs with the 35th draft pick in the 2010 Rookie Draft.{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=Mark|title=Andrew Hooper in line for cut-throat final|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/andrew-hooper-in-line-for-cut-throat-final/story-e6frf9jf-1225916112494|access-date=21 November 2010|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=8 September 2010}}
After overcoming injuries at the start of 2010,{{cite news|last=Quayle|first=Emma|title=From boys to when?|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/from-boys-to-when-20100828-13ws0.html|access-date=21 November 2010|newspaper=The Age|date=29 August 2010}} Hooper played with the Bulldogs' VFL-affiliate side Williamstown for the majority of the season, where he became a "cult-figure" and increasingly important player as the Seagulls finished on top of the VFL ladder. As a result of his performances with Williamstown, Hooper was pushing for senior selection throughout the season. He was promoted to the primary list for round 15 and was named as an emergency the same round. He also came close to making his debut in a round 22 match against Essendon. Hooper instead made his AFL debut in the Western Bulldogs' semi final match against Sydney.{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=Mark|title=Infectious Andrew Hooper sends Western Bulldogs wild|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/infectious-andrew-hooper-sends-western-bulldogs-wild/story-e6frf9ox-1225918827127|access-date=21 November 2010|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=11 September 2010}} In doing so, he became the first player to make his debut in a finals match in 25 years. Described as having a "giant influence", Hooper had five possessions and kicked a goal, which sparked the Bulldogs' comeback. The Herald Sun claimed that, after his performance, Hooper would "no doubt be back [next week]". However, he was dropped for the preliminary final match against St Kilda{{cite news|last=Pierek|first=Jon|title=Contract extension for Saints' Dawson|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/contract-extension-for-saints-dawson-20101111-17pfl.html|access-date=21 November 2010|newspaper=The Age|date=12 November 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101114071114/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/contract-extension-for-saints-dawson-20101111-17pfl.html| archive-date= 14 November 2010 | url-status= live}} and the Bulldogs lost, ending their finals campaign.
Hooper was promoted to the Bulldogs' senior list with the 110th selection in the 2010 AFL draft{{cite news|title=2010 AFL National Draft: who your club picked|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/2010-afl-national-draft-who-your-club-picked-20101118-17zfd.html|access-date=21 November 2010|newspaper=The Age|date=19 November 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101205131944/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/2010-afl-national-draft-who-your-club-picked-20101118-17zfd.html| archive-date= 5 December 2010 | url-status= live}} and signed a two-year contract with the club.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Wbplayer|ref=21699}}
- {{AFL Tables|ref=A/Andrew_Hooper.html}}
{{2010 AFL rookie draft}}
{{2010 AFL national draft}}
{{Larke Medal}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hooper, Andrew}}
Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)
Category:Western Bulldogs players
Category:Greater Western Victoria Rebels players
Category:Golden Point Football Club players
Category:North Ballarat Football Club players
Category:Williamstown Football Club players