Hoppa switch angers fans
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 » 03:18pm
Manly coach Des Hasler is wishing Will Hopoate all the best with his move to Parramatta - but Sea Eagles fans have reacted angrily to what they are branding a blatant act of disloyalty.
Just two days after playing a starring role in the club's grand final victory over the Warriors, the Manly faithful have been rocked by revelations Hopoate will join hated arch-rivals the Eels once he completes his two-year mission with the Mormon Church in 2014.
The two-year deal is believed to be worth more than $500,000-a-season and includes a coaching role for Will's father and former NRL bad boy John Hopoate.
News of Hopoate's defection caught many at the Sea Eagles by surprise and put a dampener on week-long grand final celebrations.
An hour after the Sea Eagles' win in the decider and again the day after the game, Hopoate continually expressed hope he would remain at the club and reunite with 'his brothers' when he returned to the field in 2014.
But those words now seem hollow and misleading.
Hasler, who played with John and has known Will since birth, is upset at losing such a prodigious talent.
But he put his disappointment behind him on Tuesday to wish the 19-year-old State of Origin star all the best.
'It was a very tough decision for Will,' Hasler said on Tuesday.
'But I know Will did what was best for him and his family.'
'Will is a person of great conviction, shown by him leaving the game for two years to serve his Mormon mission.'
'He is also a bloke of sincerity and we wish him every success in his two years out of the game and then at Parramatta.'
But Manly fans weren't so forgiving upon hearing news of Hopoate's departure.
Joey, writing on an unofficial Manly fans forum, said: 'Just last night to say he would love to stay Manly when he had an agreement already in place with Parra is a disgrace and with that (he's) lost all credibility as a man.'
Whiz1973 added: 'Bit gutted that he spoke about wanting to return to Manly. What a prat.'
'Hopefully DCE and Foran carve him a new one in 2014.'
Other fans wished Hopoate well at his new club but cast doubts over his ability to star at the Eels after two years out of the game.
Manly chairman Scott Penn said the Sea Eagles simply could not match the Eels' offer.
He told ,Sportal: 'All of our dialogue with him was very positive and we put our best offer forward.'
'We were aware others clubs were chasing him and I'd imagine it was a very big offer to tempt him away.'
'We are certainly disappointed to lose such a talented player after investing so much in him over the years.'
