After finishing as Glenelg's joint leading goal kicker in 1979 and outright in 1981, Essendon recruited Copping and he made his senior VFL debut in the opening round of the 1982 VFL season. He finished the year with 45 goals, a tally which included four from their Elimination Final loss to North Melbourne. The following season he had another good year in front of goals, kicking 42 goals, with a career best haul of seven against Footscray at home and two further bags of six.
Copping returned to Glenelg in 1985 and topped their goal kicking once more with 83 goals and played in their premiership team. Glenelg went back to back in 1986 and Copping again featured in their side. In 2004 he was inducted into the club's 'Hall of Fame'
References
Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
South Australia 26.16 (172) defeated Victoria 17.14 (116), at Football Park, 16 May 1983
Western Australia 24.14 (134) defeated South Australia 16.14 (110), at Subiaco Oval, 4 June 1983