LEETON-Whitton junior Jacob Hopper understands the challenge standing in front of Greater Western Sydney (GWS) this weekend.
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An all-Sydney elimination final will be part of the opening week of the AFL finals series with Hopper and the Giants to take on the Swans in Tasmania on Saturday.
Hopper has enjoyed an outstanding season for the Giants, averaging 26 disposals and 12 contested possessions a game.
The 24-year-old will line-up for his 12th AFL final on Saturday and while excited, he understands the enormity of the task in front of the Giants.
"I'm super pumped," Hopper told the Giants website after Saturday's win over Carlton.
"It's a derby, we seem to always find a way to get them in a final, as in play against them. We know the type of side they are, we know that they're in red hot form, they're the raging hot favourites, as they should be, they've played arguably probably some of the better footy in the comp this year so we know we're going to be up against it.
"It's a big challenge ahead but finals footy, there's nothing better."
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Hopper is an integral part of a Giants midfield that boasts the likes of Josh Kelly, Cal Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Tim Taranto, among others.
He says the Giants have got their mix right in the midfield at the moment and believes it is one of the factors behind their strong form at the back end of the year.
"We've got a luxury of having a lot that can go through there, we can really help each other out and get the best out of each other," Hopper said.
"We've really worked hard on that balance and trying to see what suits us best so it's great to see that we've even got young guys like (Tanner Bruhn) and (Xavier O'Halloran) coming through, giving us so much.
"It's exciting that we've got so many boys playing good footy, we feel like we've got some real momentum so it's super exciting.
"I know the Swans are red hot but I know we're looking forward to the challenge and we just love that we're back in finals footy."
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