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Coach's bench feedback an AFL boon for GWS

Greater Western Sydney's Jacob Hopper says he's enjoyed receiving direct feedback from coach Leon Cameron on the bench during recent AFL games.

Jacob Hopper of the Giants.
Jacob Hopper says he has enjoyed hearing GWS coach Leon Cameron bark orders from the bench. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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It's unclear whether coach Leon Cameron's shift to the bench and Greater Western Sydney's AFL form turnaround is a case of causation or correlation, but young gun Jacob Hopper is relishing the instant feedback.

Cameron, seeking to shake things up after a four-match losing streak, coached from the boundary line instead of the box during the club's breakthrough victory over Adelaide.

Cameron adopted the same tactic the following weekend, when GWS smashed Gold Coast by a record 108 points.

Plenty of coaches have barked directions on gameday in person during recent seasons but most have used it as a one-off circuit breaker - sometimes for a single quarter.

"It's something different. I'd never experienced it in my short career but I've really enjoyed it," Hopper said, noting a few of his teammates were in the same boat.

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"It's good to have him right there in your ear. It's direct. You come off the ground and get that feedback immediately.

"Face to face. It becomes more significant when you hear it like that."

The Giants have the bye this weekend then face Brisbane at the Gabba. Cameron is yet to make any decisions, but hinted at a return to the box after GWS crushed the Suns.

"There's no magic in it," Cameron said.

"It's an interesting discussion we'll have week by week ... I'll have a think about it over the bye.

"Our leadership group and our players should be strong enough in their minds to make sure they can (focus for four quarters)."

Hopper noted regardless of where Cameron is stationed, GWS must maintain the rage against the Lions.

"We were extremely disappointed with our footy last month. We knew it wasn't us," the midfielder said.

"We were really dominated in the midfield and took that personally, getting smashed.

"Unfortunately now we've got the bye. There's a fair few of us who want to keep going."

Hopper has endured a rotten run of luck since being the Giants' first selection in the 2015 draft, undergoing heart surgery plus hurting his finger, back and ankle badly.

But the 21-year-old, who had a game-high 12 clearances last Saturday, is now showing his potential.

"Fingers crossed I stay fit. I want to keep getting better and better," Hopper said.


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