Text Box: No one could have foretold the career that Ivan was going to have when he first came to the Club in 2002. Well, maybe Ivan himself could have said, but he would not have boasted about his ability or potential because that wasnt his style. In fact, one of the trademarks of Ivans outstanding career was his quiet, unassuming nature - and his capacity to blow people away with his ability. Ivans career was unlike most rookie seasons as he came in and quickly established himself as a reliable target at the Wide Receiver position. He also stood out with his ability to place kick and added kicking off and conversions to his bag of talents. His peers also noted his skills and he was justifiably rewarded with the 2002 Rookie of the Year award at the Clubs Presentation Night. But that was simply a taste of things to come. As the years rolled by Ivan was suitably recognised by winning a Team Most Valuable Player trophy, three Most Valuable Player on Offense awards, and a Players Player trophy, and that was just at a Club level. He represented both New South Wales and Australia with distinction, and all the while demonstrating the poise and determination that made him a special player. At the end of his career Ivan had set a number of Club Records, some of which still stand, and he finished as the Clubs All-Time leading Receiver AND Points Scorer. If ever there was a quiet achiever with the Pirates then Ivan Popovic is that man, and he will be remembered as one of the Silver and Blacks finest players.

Ivan Popovics Year-by-Year Receiving Statistics

Year

Recs.

Yards

Avg.

Long

2002

28

393

14.04

50

2003

32

397

12.41

57 (TD)

2004

18

238

13.22

48

2005

49

810

16.53

53

2006

51

797

15.63

65 (TD)

2007

31

496

16.00

65 (TD)

2008

48

542

11.29

71 (TD)

TOTALS

257

3673

14.29

71 (TD)

Ivan Popovics Year-by-Year Point Scoring Statistics

 

TD Rush

TD Pass

PATs

2 Points

FGs

KO Ret.

Punt Ret.

TOTAL

2002

 

4

21

1

2

 

 

53

2003

 

6

14

1

1

1

 

61

2004

 

2

4

 

 

 

1

22

2005

 

13

30

1

1

 

 

113

2006

1

14

5

1

 

 

 

97

2007

2

8

14

2

 

 

 

78

2008

 

11

6

3

 

 

 

78

TOTALS

3

58

94

9

4

1

1

502