Hopoate offered lifeline by Manly
July 20, 2004 - 7:39PM
Manly has thrown wayward winger John Hopoate a lifeline, offering the former international a one-year contract that will allow him to continue his controversial NRL career on Sydney's northern beaches.
Manly chief executive Paul Cummings met with Hopoate's manager Wayne Beavis where he tabled the offer, which is heavily performance-based.
That means Hopoate will have to mend his wild ways if he wants to be well-paid next season.
Hopoate is currently serving a nine-match suspension on two counts of misconduct - fighting and making derogatory and threatening comments to a match official.
The 30-year-old is expected to make a decision on whether he will take up the Sea Eagles offer at a meeting with Beavis on Thursday.
"We have had a lot of feedback from both fans and players both wanting John to continue his career at Manly," Cummings said.
"We're doing this as a gesture because John has been a great player for us.
"But it's under the understanding that there are some very clear conditions.
"If he's suspended it will affect him rather dramatically."
Hopoate's 12 years and 207 games in first grade have been littered with controversy culminating in his nine-match ban earlier this season.
The former NSW and Australian winger still has five games of that suspension to serve.
"I ... would think John could get substantially more if he went overseas but John has made a decision that he doesn't want to do that," Cummings said.
"I think the offer is fair under the circumstances."
Beavis said he would meet with Hopoate later this week before a decision was made on his client's future.
He declined to reveal whether any other clubs, from either the NRL or England, had made Hopoate an offer.
Meanwhile, Manly utility Luke Williamson agreed to terms with the club for a further two years.
The club has already recruited NSW forwards Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite for next season.
And prop Ian Donnelly has been released from the final two years of his contract with the Sea Eagles.
Donnelly, currently sidelined through suspension, has been linked with Melbourne, which lost Queensland forward Kirk Reynoldson.
The club welcomed back Solomon Haumono and Chad Randall for Saturday's clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
July 20, 2004 - 7:39PM
Manly has thrown wayward winger John Hopoate a lifeline, offering the former international a one-year contract that will allow him to continue his controversial NRL career on Sydney's northern beaches.
Manly chief executive Paul Cummings met with Hopoate's manager Wayne Beavis where he tabled the offer, which is heavily performance-based.
That means Hopoate will have to mend his wild ways if he wants to be well-paid next season.
Hopoate is currently serving a nine-match suspension on two counts of misconduct - fighting and making derogatory and threatening comments to a match official.
The 30-year-old is expected to make a decision on whether he will take up the Sea Eagles offer at a meeting with Beavis on Thursday.
"We have had a lot of feedback from both fans and players both wanting John to continue his career at Manly," Cummings said.
"We're doing this as a gesture because John has been a great player for us.
"But it's under the understanding that there are some very clear conditions.
"If he's suspended it will affect him rather dramatically."
Hopoate's 12 years and 207 games in first grade have been littered with controversy culminating in his nine-match ban earlier this season.
The former NSW and Australian winger still has five games of that suspension to serve.
"I ... would think John could get substantially more if he went overseas but John has made a decision that he doesn't want to do that," Cummings said.
"I think the offer is fair under the circumstances."
Beavis said he would meet with Hopoate later this week before a decision was made on his client's future.
He declined to reveal whether any other clubs, from either the NRL or England, had made Hopoate an offer.
Meanwhile, Manly utility Luke Williamson agreed to terms with the club for a further two years.
The club has already recruited NSW forwards Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite for next season.
And prop Ian Donnelly has been released from the final two years of his contract with the Sea Eagles.
Donnelly, currently sidelined through suspension, has been linked with Melbourne, which lost Queensland forward Kirk Reynoldson.
The club welcomed back Solomon Haumono and Chad Randall for Saturday's clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
