AFL Draft: Dandenong Stingray Ben Hopkins brings the recruiters running

“People wouldn’t have known him if he popped up in their Cornflakes,’’ he says.

They would now, AFL recruiters among them.

In his first year in the CTL, the 188cm Hopkins came through as a dashing defender for the Stingrays, whose season ended last Sunday with a wildcard-round loss to Gippsland Power.

Hopkins, a product of Langwarrin Football Netball Club, was “pretty shattered’’ with the result, especially after the Rays sprayed 7.14.

His own numbers were better.

He finished with the flourish of 24 possessions and six marks, and averaged 19.8 disposals from his 14 games.

“He jumped out of the ground this year,’’ Cox says of Hopkins.

“Good size, nice kid and he just kept improving. He did some things that raised the eyebrows of some very astute talent ID people.

“I think it’s becoming very serious for Ben. He might be one who jumps the queue of a few of them.

“It was his first year in an elite program, so he’s only going to improve. He’ll be back with us as a 19-year-old if he doesn’t get anything (drafted). But I really believe he’s a big chance to go, given the level of interest in him.’’

Hopkins has been invited to the state combine in October, and earlier in the season he played in two Vic Country Under 18 trial matches.

The Year 12 Elizabeth Murdoch College student admits his performances this year exceeded his expectations.

He was invited to pre-season training after winning the best and fairest for Langwarrin Under 17s and finishing second in the league count, a vote behind joint winners Hudson Rigg and Corey Braden (both of whom were also promoted to the Stingrays’ list in 2023).

Hopkins says he set his sights no further than getting through the pre-Christmas training block.

“That was a pretty big relief when I made it,’’ he says. And it was a “big thrill’’ when he made the list and then the Rays’ Round 1 side.

“Most kids in this region dream of playing for the Stingrays,’’ he says.

“I was pretty stoked when they gave me that first game.’’

Hopkins went on to appear in all 14 matches.

He hit a purple patch of form with more than 30 possessions against Gippsland Power in Round 12 and carried it through to the wildcard.

“I think I grew as a player … I had a couple of games where I wasn’t as good but later in the year I put together some good games and I guess got noticed,’’ he says.

He says Cox and the other coaches helped him strike a balance between minding his opponent and finding the ball.

“All offence’’ at the start of the season, he improved his defensive side without losing his “run and carry’’.

“I love to run,’’ Hopkins says.

Cox says Hopkins is versatile enough to play in the forward line and on the wing but stood out as a “high half back’’.

“He finds a really good mix between defence and attack, he’s got good speed and his running ability is exceptional – he had over 1000m of high-speed running last week,’’ he says.

“His last few weeks for us were tremendous. He’s become a very nice player.’’

In between his Stingrays’ commitments, Hopkins played three senior matches for Langwarrin in the Mornington Peninsula league, twice being named best-afield in his first outings against men.

Langy were down the ladder but had a rousing win over the undefeated Dromana, with the Stingray having 25 touches across half-back.

Josh Beard, Langy’s senior coach, coached Hopkins in his Under 9, 10 and 11 seasons and was an assistant coach of the Under 17 team when Hopkins dominated.

Beard says his young charge is “super-talented, with an extraordinary running capability, a beautiful reader of the ball, a great interceptor and a really good decision-maker’’.

“But I think his standout is his quality as a teammate and a person,’’ he says. “The way he approached his footy, his family and his friends hasn’t changed since day one.

“He’s the most selfless and caring person you’ll find. He was so unselfish as a junior. If anything it was a deficiency because he’d give it to any kid in the right spot. If they fumbled or made a mistake he’d go and clean it up and go again.’’

Hopkins enjoyed those senior games and is thankful for Langy’s part in his rise.

He asks that any write-up on him make mention of his father, Russell.

“He’s always tried to push me forward in sport and as a person as well. He’s a big role-model for me and an inspiration too. It would be nice to give him a little bit of recognition.’’

Jacob Grant was another Stingray who rose sharply in his first year with the Under 18 squad, gaining selection for Vic Country against WA.

The 192cm forward is from Southern league Division 3 club Endeavour Hills.

“His improvement was exceptional too,’’ Cox says.

“He does some stuff that makes people go, ‘There’s something there’. He runs well, he launches at the footy.’’

The coach jokes that ‘Hopkins and Grant’ sounds like a law firm but they are two players he enjoyed coaching this season.