Leeton footballer Jacob Hopper will return from injury in time to go head-to-head with arguably the AFL's best midfield on Saturday.
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Hopper missed the last three rounds of the home and away season but is a certain starter for Greater Western Sydney's elimination final against Western Bulldogs at Giants Stadium.
The 22-year-old Leeton-Whitton junior was a late withdrawal in the Giants' round 21 loss to Hawthorn with a hamstring injury and has not been spotted since.
Hopper on Tuesday declared himself ready to go for the sudden-death final against the in-form Bulldogs.
"Yeah definitely, I was hoping maybe to sneak a game in earlier but it wasn't meant to be so I feel like I've had a really good freshen up and ready to go now for the first final," Hopper said.
"(It was) a bit annoying obviously to have it towards the end of the season but rehabbed really well and the staff have been all over it here so just feeling really good and ready to go.
"If anything I feel like I'm a bit more fresh going in now and obviously I don't have the knocks and bruises that the a lot of boys have coming into a finals series so I'm feeling as ready as ever."
Hopper has enjoyed a fine season at the Giants, playing 19 games and averaging 26 disposals.
He will have to be at his best for his return given he will go up against the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Jack McRae and Josh Dunkley.
"We know that they're one of the better midfields in the competition so we're really looking forward to that challenge and we know that they've got some super players in there so it should be on," he said. "I know personally I'm looking forward to matching up on a few A-listers and some genuine players in the competition so I can't wait to get out there and play some footy."
The Bulldogs beat the Giants by 61 points last month but Hopper is confident GWS can turn it around.
"The pleasing thing is we've got about 40 players to pick from this time around, which I don't think we've had all year," he said.
"We know that the Dogs are probably the in-form side of the competition, we know that they've won seven or eight of their last nine so they're playing some really good footy and we're ready to try and match it."
Hopper is about to embark on his fourth finals series in just his fourth season at AFL level.
He cannot wait to get out on the big stage again.
"The more finals experience the better. The more games played the better," he said.
"I think, a bit like anything, it definitely helps and goes a long way to knowing what to expect and knowing whats out there.
"At the same time, we've got some younger guys as well who are eager to experience it, like myself. I'm fortunate enough to have been playing finals every year I've been here but at the same time, I'm still young and craving more finals so it's super exciting."
The Giants have been in the last four AFL finals series but are yet to make a grand final, let alone taste premiership success.
Hoppers believes there is no pressure associated with that statistic.
"I don't know if there's pressure. There's no doubt you want to win finals footy, you want to go all the way and win flags. I think that's why we're all here at the end of the day," he said.
"We feel like we're in a really good position and we're looking forward to A, just being in a finals series again and we're in it with a shot so I know we're super excited to just go as far as we possibly can and play as good as footy as can possibly can."
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