GWS Giants have received a double dose of good news with emerging midfielder Jacob Hopper signing for two more seasons and a new club membership record.
Hopper, who has played 48 games, has made a huge start to the season with the 22-year-old Giants academy product averaging more than 27 disposals a game.
Together with fellow youngster Tim Taranto, Hopper has helped GWS overcome the departures of Tom Scully, Dylan Shiel and Will Setterfield and injuries to co-captain Callan Ward.
Taken with pick seven in the 2015 draft, Hopper has played in all seven of the club's finals and is regarded as an emerging leader of the club.
Hopper' joins Matt de Boer, Adam Kennedy and Harry Himmelberg in re-signing over the past fortnight.
"I think we've got a really special, unique, close group and I've got a lot of love for the boys here and the whole club so in the end it was a really easy decision to recommit," Hopper said.
Senior midfielders Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly are two Giants who are coming off contract and yet to recommit.
The Giants have passed 25,000 members for the second consecutive year with the club record standing at 25,282.
The tally is more than 3000 up on this same stage last year.
"To achieve a membership like this so early in the season is a wonderful achievement for a club in just our eighth season," Giants CEO David Matthews said.
