Prized Richmond recruit Jacob Hopper polled the most votes in the 2023 AFL Coaches’ Association’s Player of the Year award voting for the Round 2 match against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

In just his second game for the Tigers, the gun midfielder received eight votes from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Matthew Nicks (Adelaide) for the significant role he played in the team’s 32-point win.

Hopper finished the match with 23 disposals, eight contested possessions, six inside-50s, four clearances, including an equal game-high three stoppage clearances, three rebound-50s, one goal, six score involvements, seven marks, three intercepts, six tackles and 387 metres gained.

Talented Tiger key defender Noah Balta picked up seven votes for his sterling performance – 13 disposals, an equal game-high 10 marks – nine of them intercept grabs – a game-high 11 intercepts all-up, six rebound-50s, seven score involvements and 479 metres gained.

Tim Taranto, in his second game for Richmond, was given four votes after polling three the previous week.

The star midfielder had a team-high 28 disposals, an equal team-high 11 contested possessions, equal game-high seven inside-50s, equal game-high seven clearances, including a game-high five centre clearances, equal game-high eight tackles and 457 metres gained.

Rounding out Richmond’s Round 2 vote-getters were Tom Lynch with three and Liam Baker and Toby Nankervis two apiece.

The full voting details for the Round 2 Adelaide v Richmond match are:

8 – Jacob Hopper (Richmond)

7 – Noah Balta (Richmond)

4 – Tim Taranto (Richmond)

4 – Rory Laird (Adelaide)

3 – Tom Lynch (Richmond)

2 – Liam Baker (Richmond)

2 – Toby Nankervis (Richmond)