William Hopoate's Parramatte Eels deal in jeopardy because
Josh Massoud and James Hooper
The Daily Telegraph
October 11, 2013 12:00AM
PARRAMATTA have committed to Jason Taylor as 2014 head coach, defying concerns that star recruit Will Hopoate might be pushed elsewhere should the Sydney Roosters assistant be appointed.
The plot at Parramatta became decidedly murkier Thursday, when Eels officials were informed that Hopoates advisers wanted Manly assistant Brad Arthur to be head coach.
There were even suggestions Hopoate could activate a get-out clause in his three-year deal, which begins next month, should Taylor get the nod over Arthur.
The 21-year-old - currently completing his Mormon Mission in Brisbane - has been linked with a possible move to South Sydney.
Its understood Hopoates father, John, holds Arthur in high esteem from defensive, boxing and wrestling work theyve done together at Manly this year.
When contacted Thursday night, Hopoate Sr referred all inquiries to his sons agent, who did not return calls.
But The Daily Telegraph is aware that Hopoate Sr made calls Thursday to inquire about whether Arthur was still in contention for the Eels job.
The latest developments indicate Arthur is out of the running, with Taylor meeting Eels officials Thursday to finalise his new contract.
The deal could be announced as soon as Friday, ending an *unprecedented week of boardroom machinations - even by Parramattas standards.
Prior to a board meeting on Tuesday night, Eels chairman Steve Sharp publicly declared his support for Arthur and urged fellow directors on the five-man board to toe the line.
But when a vote on Arthurs application was taken later that night Sharp was defeated, 3-2.
The three dissenting directors want Taylor to be head coach and were on Thursday unmoved by speculation that Hopoate could seek a release as a result.
Club officials and Taylor spent Thursday afternoon putting the final touches on the new contract, which will see Taylor resume head coaching for the first time since his dismissal from South Sydney in 2008.
Hopoate is within his rights to backflip on the $2.3 million deal, which included a clause that tied him to Parramatta so long as Steve Kearney remained coach.
Kearneys sacking last July made Hopoate a free agent, but Eels *coaching staff have continued to monitor his progress through regular trips to Brisbane.
They are expecting him to report for preseason training on November 7.
