Allan Hopkins

Infobox afl player | firstname = Allan
lastname = Hopkins




image size = 100
birthdate = 24 May 1904
birthplace =
originalteam = Footscray (VFA)
heightweight = 175 cm / 75 kg
dead =
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = 1925
debutteam = Footscray
debutopponent =
debutstadium =
playingteams = Footscray (1925-34)
* 151 games, 205 goals
coach =
coachingteams = Footscray (1930)
* 18 games, 4 wins, 14 losses
statsend = 1934
careerhighlights =

* Footscray captain 1926, 1929
* Footscray captain-coach 1930
* Footscray best and fairest 1931
* Footscray leading goalkicker 1925, 1926
* "Champion of Australia" 1930
* Victorian representative 17 matches

Allan Hopkins (24 May 1904 – 2 July 2001) was an Australian rules footballler in the (then) Victorian Football League.

One of the cleverest and most brilliant centremen in VFL history, Allan Hopkns was one of the Bulldog's greats. Born and bred in Footscray, he was the son of Con Hopkins who was a stalwart for the club in earlier years. Young Allan showed his class at Footscray state school and made his debut for Footscray in 1923 against Prahran. When Footscray crossed to the VFL he first starred as a forward. His brainy, cool and clever play was put to best use in the centre. He did not look fast, but could pace it with the best of them and he assumed an heavy workload for his struggling team. He often had to charge downfield and shoot for goals because he had so little support. He never conceded defeat and his bandy legs were pumping just as hard at the end of his days as they hand been at the start. Nicknamed "Banana Legs", he ran close to the ground in the style of so many champions and his awkward gait confused opponents. He captained Footscray in 1926 and four years later was captain-coach. He played for Victoria 20 times, earning a Big V in his first year and in his last. Oddly, he won Footscray's best and fairest only once, but was equal second in the 1929 Brownlow, lost on a countback in 1930, was second in 1931 and fourth in 1934. The VFL awarded him a retrospective medal in 1989 for his efforts in 1930 and a delighted Hopkins received his just deserts. After leaving Footscray he coached Yarraville.

References

*
* [http://prod.www.afl.cfour.com.au/Season2007/Awards/HallofFame/Players/tabid/856/Default.aspx AFL Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/hi-hz.htm#Alan%20Hopkins%20(Footscray) Full Points Footy Biography: Allan Hopkins]