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Hoppa

Gronk

Gronk

Moderator
Staff member
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78,032
I honestly thought that by signing Hoppa we'd end up with a kid like Jennings or one of the Morris twins.

What we ended up with is a player who is probably one of the slowest in the comp and gets dominated in the ruck, resulting in slow play the balls. On the upside, he is a great defender and provides good quick service to his outside man.

Speed certainly isn't everything and I would certainly prefer Hoppa over Morgan who has the opposite skillset.

The jury is out on him providing value for money however. Not sure what he is on but his contribution would struggle to justify a huge pay packet, if the rumours are true.
 
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oldmancraigy

Coach
Messages
11,978
Gronk, his upper body strength isn't quite there. I think he'll be better next season. He said himself that he has added a couple of kgs during the season in upper body muscle.
Also, his sprint training has resulted in him looking half a step quicker already this season, he is definitely still down half a cog from where he was at in his Manly days. Have a look at the Dogs game again, he actually looks reasonably dangerous in terms of 'poking his nose through' - definitely looks to have more pace in that game than he did in others.

Surely his confidence in making the right decision is down after 2 years away? But it looks like he will be back to 'full power' next season. He still managed to get picked for NSW this year, so it's not like he is miles off the pace. But speed to burn was never his thing - it was power and making the right decisions (and some pace off the mark, which he looks to be missing).

He does all the 'small things' well (even that pass for the last try against Manly took a large amount of skill, he made it look like a simply catch and pass).

He's more of a Steve Matai than those other blokes you mentioned
 
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Kornstar

Kornstar

Coach
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15,578
Wasn't it him and Mannah's return that started this run? His defence alone makes him a massive asset!

Did you see him shut Manly down on Friday? I want him to stay long term, his influence on our team has been massive!
 
Gronk

Gronk

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78,032
Agree that a full off season will do him the world of good. I just hope he doesn't need an op on that bung shoulder.
 
eel01s

eel01s

Bench
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3,410
Yeah I hope its nothing serious either. He has definitely been favouring that arm. I think he has been excellent for us, and a huge upgrade on what we have had for a while.

He will be even better next season.
 
J

Jodeci

Bench
Messages
3,513
Hoppa gets a pass mark from me.

2 years out of the game, comes back and plays origin and has been consistent through out the the year.

Remember Hoppa would of had blokes like DCE, Foran, Stewart and the Sea Eagles backline in 2011 was the hottest in the comp.

He now has to adjust to life without those stars and step it up a notch which I think he has done.

You need quality ball and a edge back rower next to you when your out in the centres, we have only had that in patches this year.
 
hindy111

hindy111

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63,448
True Jodeci. Hoppa has been solid.But i expected like other a different type of centre.I thought we would see more a line breaking explosive centre.He is more a strong centre who makes good dummy half runs and has nice hands.
He will be better next year.He will have a long career in the NRL. I doubt he would be fast enough to play fullback thou.And if he was asking big $$ id be happy to let him go.Sure he is a step up from guys like Morgs or Champion but he is probably costing 3 times the amount as well.He sure does miss a lot of tackles as well.Im sure he will fix that with more strenght next year
 
J

Jodeci

Bench
Messages
3,513
hindy111 said:
True Jodeci. Hoppa has been solid.But i expected like other a different type of centre.I thought we would see more a line breaking explosive centre.He is more a strong centre who makes good dummy half runs and has nice hands.
He will be better next year.He will have a long career in the NRL. I doubt he would be fast enough to play fullback thou.And if he was asking big $$ id be happy to let him go.Sure he is a step up from guys like Morgs or Champion but he is probably costing 3 times the amount as well.He sure does miss a lot of tackles as well.Im sure he will fix that with more strenght next year
Click to expand...

Valid points

I suppose if Hoppa was still playing another code for the last 2 years, you would expect him to slot straight in and play like how he did at Manly.

The bloke didnt touch a footy or proper gym equipment until he start pre season in November last year.

Hoppa builds character within the team, he is the bloke who gives advice to the younger kids and has that calmness to settle things down.

I thought he scored a great try on the weekend and was solid against an international centre in Matai.
 
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forward pass

forward pass

Coach
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10,209
Gronk said:
I honestly thought that by signing Hoppa we'd end up with a kid like Jennings or one of the Morris twins.
Click to expand...

Seriously?? So you never watched him play for Manly or NSW. What would make you think we were getting a player totally different to the one that left Manly ? :?
 
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oldmancraigy

Coach
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11,978
Meh - he's only half a yard quicker there Gronk. Just played slightly more 'direct' in attacking the hole (confidence and feel for the game).
 
Gronk

Gronk

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78,032
So you'd extend his contract for the same big coin to avoid him leaving to another club ?
 
O

oldmancraigy

Coach
Messages
11,978
Did I say that?

Personally, I would spend the big cash on 3 of the spine spots, and try and get a couple of mid-priced outside backs (the $200-400k range). So, IF Hoppa is on 700-850k, and wants it again, well, I'd let him go (unless Hayne has broken in half, and we need a new FB).
But I'd pay Hoppa $400k for sure. He is quality.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

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92,344
oldmancraigy said:
Meh - he's only half a yard quicker there Gronk. Just played slightly more 'direct' in attacking the hole (confidence and feel for the game).
Click to expand...

Hopoate himself recently said he wasn't the quickest player before his Mormon mission.

Anyway, he's extremely dangerous in a two-on-two, he makes 100 metres every week, and with a bit of extra upper body strength he will be a great defender. Good under the high ball too.
 
Gronk

Gronk

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78,032
oldmancraigy said:
Did I say that?

Personally, I would spend the big cash on 3 of the spine spots, and try and get a couple of mid-priced outside backs (the $200-400k range). So, IF Hoppa is on 700-850k, and wants it again, well, I'd let him go (unless Hayne has broken in half, and we need a new FB).
But I'd pay Hoppa $400k for sure. He is quality.
Click to expand...

Agree on all points. Good player but not worth half of what the media have said he's getting paid.

Parramatta's signings have benefited from the Eels' situation - former NSW Origin and Manly back William Hopoate will bank $800,000 a season and other former Manly players, Darcy Lussick and Daniel Harrison, will get $450,000 and $300,000.
Click to expand...
 
Joely01

Joely01

Bench
Messages
4,553
The guy has been out of the game for 2 years and has stepped back into the game and played a full season in first grade.
Not many people would be able to handle that, and most would start in NSW Cup.

I think Hoppa has done a really good job this year.
 
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