[3] Despite tearing his calf muscle two weeks before the AFL Draft Camp, Hooper still participated, coming second in the agility test, third in the 20 m sprint and equal third in the standing vertical jump.
[2] Although Hooper had an impressive junior career, there were concerns that he would struggle at AFL level due to his small height of 172 cm.
[5] After overcoming injuries at the start of 2010,[6] Hooper played with the Bulldogs' VFL-affiliate side Williamstown for the majority of the season, where he became a "cult-figure" and increasingly important player as the Seagulls finished on top of the VFL ladder.
[5] Hooper instead made his AFL debut in the Western Bulldogs' semi final match against Sydney.
Hooper was promoted to the Bulldogs' senior list with the 110th selection in the 2010 AFL Draft[9] and signed a two-year contract with the club.