Hoppa going to the Eels in 2014

[bennoonthehill]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...sign-manly-star-on-return-20111003-1l5i5.html

WILLIAM HOPOATE has played his final game for Manly, with the Herald learning the boom teenager has agreed to turn out for Parramatta when he returns to the NRL from his two-year Mormon missionary work in Brisbane.
Hopoate, 19, had an outstanding match in the Sea Eagles' grand final victory over the Warriors on Sunday after spending three hours at church before the game.
A host of clubs, including Canterbury, the Sydney Roosters and the Warriors, had joined Manly in trying to negotiate a deal with Hopoate's manager, Tyran Smith, of Sportsplayer Management, to tie him down to a long-term deal while Hopoate completed his religious duties.
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The Herald's source, who is close to both Hopoate and the Eels, said Parramatta had worked overtime to ensure they signed the eldest son of former Test winger John Hopoate, who also won a grand final with Manly, in 1996.
The young star had thought long and hard about his decision, the source said.
Smith, who could not be contacted, was quoted in The Sun-Herald last May as saying a number of clubs had shown a massive amount of interest in his client because they realised he had the personality and characteristics around which to build a strong culture.
''I think the fact he's so popular and humble appeals to the chief executives because they're things a club can build a culture around," Smith, a former first grader, said at the time.
And he can play - Hopoate's grand final effort against New Zealand belied the fact he had played just 22 first grade games. He made close to 200 metres, produced a magic flick pass for Glenn Stewart to score and came within millimetres of scoring a sensational try himself. His defence and coolness in defusing bombs were tremendous.
It is not known if Hopoate, who represented NSW in State of Origin this season, has informed his teammates of what was described as a "tough" decision.
The news will hearten Parramatta supporters, whose 2014 roster will boast Hopoate, Chris Sandow and Jarryd Hayne - three of the NRL's most electrifying players.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...r-on-return-20111003-1l5i5.html#ixzz1ZkkIH2uV

bugger

 

[woodyk2]

Oh well...will see if he even wants to play in 2 years.

 

[farkew]

media hype me thinks.makes a good story though

 

[MSIH]

$500k a year. Good on him, great money.

 

[broncos2010]

haha

 

[jbl31649]

Guess he doesn't like winning Grandfinals?

His Dad did hint at something like this on ever the Gameplan or OneWeekatatime. Bet dad saw $$$ for all his up coming stuff ups and court cases..

 

[CC_Eagle]

I wont believe it until it's official, but it's certainly not a good sign.

If the actual figure is anywhere near what's being reported, good on him. But to pay someone that amount of cash, who has had two years out of the game is a huge risk.

But this is Parramatta we're talking about. Sense and sanity are yet to find their way West.

 

[ceagle]

You can bet Hoppa's Dad had a big influence on the decision. But I reckon we weren't prepared to offer anywhere near $500,000, I reckon anything over $200,000 is overs.

 

[CC_Eagle]

You can bet Hoppa's Dad had a big influence on the decision. But I reckon we weren't prepared to offer anywhere near $500,000, I reckon anything over $200,000 is overs.

Well and truly.

Especially considering he wont play a game for two years.

$500K a season is nothing if you have twenty eight kids.

 

[dikefalos]

When the details come out of how much money was thrown at the hopoate family manly fans wont be too disappointed will has the chance to set his family up for life with this deal it's for 4 years of which Will will only play 2 for parra by the time his contract is up at the eels he will be 23 & will have regained match fitness before he comes back to the club he loves remember Will is going to parra for the money I have heard allegedly over 2m over 4 years including 500k allegedly over the next 2 years as a retainer & a coaching position for his father manly could come nowhere near this

 

[jbl31649]

You can bet Hoppa's Dad had a big influence on the decision. But I reckon we weren't prepared to offer anywhere near $500,000, I reckon anything over $200,000 is overs.

Mate no Fullback/Winger/Centre is worth that coin. To pay that much means you'll be weak in the Forwards.

$200,000 is tops I reckon aswell, maybe even to much.

 

[Delboy]

So jbl, Lyon/Slater/Hodges/Uate/Dugna are not on more thn $200k, a few years ago when Manly were in the position of throwing money at all and sundry, it was fair game.

This happens all the time, look at what you paid TRex etc, just how the game works these days. Teams that are in the bottom half of the table go on a spending spree, and those that have rep players struggle to keep them in the second year of success.

 

[Harold Bishop]

Good luck to the kid, money talks thats the way it goes.

I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice any of our marquee backs (Snake, Lyon or Matai) for him.
In my opinion that kind of money should be thrown at players like Lyon - who are winners and will lead a team. Will is a very talented player but very quiet and can go missing at times.

Edit: A halves pairing of Foran/DCE should be kept at all costs. All well and good to have millions sitting on your wings, but not worth it if they aren't getting fed good ball.

 

[ceagle]

Isn't $500,000 Greg Inglis money? It is way too early in Hoppa's career to be worth that much, he hasn't proven a great ordeal this season outside of wing. The performance of our team didn't differ when he was injured and Wolfman was playing.

 

[Borat.]

Its 800k a season

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...r-mormon-mission/story-fn2mcuj6-1226158385596

 

[STORM.99/07]

Why?????

 

[Delboy]

Nobody gets that sort of cash in our game, dream on, but like Rusty tried it helps overcome the pain when someone moves on.

 

[t-ba]

Sign of the clubs health imo.

We're producing poachable juniors. Good luck to him, I imagine it's a better deal than we put on the table. No arguing with that. He's a great player, potentially a future great of the game, but he's got a big family to think about.

Nothing but respect for the kid and I wish him the best. I pray he doesn't get a premiership with Parra however!

 

[jbl31649]

So jbl, Lyon/Slater/Hodges/Uate/Dugna are not on more thn $200k, a few years ago when Manly were in the position of throwing money at all and sundry, it was fair game.

This happens all the time, look at what you paid TRex etc, just how the game works these days. Teams that are in the bottom half of the table go on a spending spree, and those that have rep players struggle to keep them in the second year of success.

Well unfortunately I'm not privi to either players contract details. What I was getting at is he's a Back with 1 yrs experience and although he has done well, he'll take a bit to get back to full fitness after 2 years.

I'd rather see Manly top up the Halves, Hookers and Senior players. Goodluck to Para, they'll be stretching that cap!

 

[MSIH]

Disappointing he came out and told Manly fans he was going to come back, knowing full well he wasn't.

Good on him though, and good on Parra. Great signing, he'll be a superstar. Surely it's not $800k a year though as reported on Fox Sports, and linked earlier. That's outrageous.

f**k John.