Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney both went into their Sunday night encounter with everything to gain, a top-four finish for the Power and a spot in the eight up for grabs for the Giants.ย
Port where able to capitalise early, mounting a respectable lead before the Giants fought back late in the first half to trial by eight points. GWS then proceeded to claim the lead in the third, until the Power stormed home as they booted six of the final seven goals en route to a 27-point win.ย
While the Giants were unable to claim eighth on the night, they had more pressing issues as gun midfielder Jacob Hopper was stretchered off the field late in the final term with an apparent concussion.ย
Hopper dived at the feet of Power star Karl Amon to smother a kick, but arrived a fraction late and ended up receiving a boot to the head which left him laying motionless.
Jacob Hopper has left the field on a stretcher after this.#AFLGiantsPower pic.twitter.com/HsPevzKG7e
— AFL (@AFL) August 1, 2021
The Giants medical staff quickly rushed to Hopperโs aid, swiftly placing a neck brace on the youngster and rushing him to hospital to assess the extent of the damage.ย
GWS later confirmed that Hopper was clear of any structural damage to his neck and jaw and that he was to remain in hospital to be monitored further.ย
Jacob Hopper has suffered a concussion but been cleared of any structural issues related to his neck and jaw. He has gone to hospital for further assessment but is in the best possible care and should make a full recovery. โค๏ธโ๐ฉน pic.twitter.com/QrEqG0ihOF
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 1, 2021
When asked about the incident during his post-game presser, Giants coach Leon Cameron had the following to say:
"Clearly he's concussed. He's gone off to hospital just to check out how bad it is but we'll just have to wait and see over the coming daysโ, said Cameron.ย
"He was a bit groggy, that's why we went with the precautions. The doc has been great, the club has handled it really wellโ, he added.ย
"He puts his head in spots where we actually don't want him to sometimesโ, Cameron concluded.
This season Hopper was averaging an impressive 26.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, 5.1 score involvements, nine around ball gets and 408 meters gained per game.ย
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
GWS had other injury concerns as key defender Phil Davis was subbed out with concussion, while forward pair Daniel Lloyd and Sam Reid played through ankle issues and bashing ruckman Shane Mumford struggled to get around the ground.ย
It will be interesting to see how the Giants respond in the coming week as they take on a red-hot Geelong and only sit half a game behind eighth placed Fremantle.ย
The Giants will be without Hopper and Davis through concussion protocols, while Cameron stated that Mumford is unlikely to face the Cats in Round 21.
