DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bulldogs to sign Will Hopoate on a three year deal

CANTERBURY are poised to swoop on State of Origin winger Will Hopoate.

Hopoate is a free agent following the decision by Parramatta to withdraw a $2 million letter of offer for the next three seasons.

The NRL would not register the deal ($630,000 in 2016, $660,000 in 2017 and $690,000 in 2018) because it would have broken the Eels’ salary cap.

Hopoate’s manager Tyran Smith is now in discussions with Parramatta officials about a compensation payment of up to $500,000.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has his chequebook poised.

Hopoate would play either fullback, wing or centre at Canterbury. We’re hearing that the Bulldogs may have to release veteran winger Sam Perrett from the final year of his contract to fit Hopoate under the cap.

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Interestingly, the Bulldogs have beaten Manly to the punch to get Hopoate.

His father John was controversially appointed as Sea Eagles SG Ball coach as a tactic to keep several of his highly-talented sons at Brookvale.

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Parramatta's Will Hopoate is set to sign with the Bulldogs. Picture Gregg Porteous

Will Hopoate had a disappointing Origin series and will be flat out retaining his jersey next season. Still, Hasler feels he has plenty to offer at Belmore.

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There is talk Brett Morris may even switch back to his specialist position on the wing to allow Hopoate to play at fullback where he can read the line defence better than as a specialist winger.

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SOUTHS CARING FOR WALKER

SOUTH Sydney are still working hard on the welfare of Dylan Walker despite suggestions he is off to Manly to free up salary cap space for Sam Burgess.

We reported recently how the young centre was spotted drinking at Randwick races just a week after being released from hospital as a result of a drug overdose. It’s not the only time he’s been seen out and about on the drink.

Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray talk to the media after being released from hospital following an overdose. pic Mark Evans

The Rabbitohs are trying to help Walker with professional counselling. The good news is that there will be no Arizona-type cover-up when the Rabbitohs release their findings into how Walker and Aaron Gray finished up in the emergency ward of St Vincent’s Hospital. Chief executive John Lee is working closely alongside the NRL integrity unit.

He understandably wants to protect the players’ privacy but also understands the importance of transparency.

SCHIFCOFSKE’S DOING HIS JOB

IT’S been a difficult few weeks for player agent Clinton Schifcofske in juggling relationships with two of his players. The former Raiders and Queensland Reds fullback manages Knights young gun Jake Mamo and the player who king-hit him on grand final day, Wests Tigers signing Billy McConnachie.

The incident was described by Knights CEO Matt Gidley as “possibly the most disgraceful act I’ve seen on a rugby league field for a decade”. Interestingly, the Knights had been in talks with the Ipswich forward but dropped off.

MALTHOUSE HOLDS KEY TO NRL PERFORMANCE

THE NRL has hired AFL coaching legend Mick Malthouse to address rugby league staff from the 16 clubs at a high performance conference in Sydney this month.

Malthouse will be the keynote speaker with his presentation to focus on:

» Player power; maintaining the dressing room

» Media relations; managing the intense media scrutiny

» Key stakeholders; handling robust board members & influential chairmen

» Leadership philosophy

I guess it's nothing new, but this should become official within the next few days.

Replies

northcoast eel October 31, 2015 at 10:11pm

Bye bye Floppa. Don't let the door hit you on the way out!!
- Earl Grey > northcoast eel October 31, 2015 at 11:30pm
  
  Haha Ron top notch
- fishbulb > northcoast eel November 1, 2015 at 7:15am
  
  Bahahahahaha! One of your best, Ron!
michael picklum October 31, 2015 at 10:28pm

I find it hard to accept that Hasler would seriously consider Hoppa for the FB role. Geez he is just so slow & was really ineffective for us as FB. This has to be an off season gee up by the DT as a page filler by regurgitating old news &/or Hasler or Hoppa's manager r foxing.
- Poupou Escobar > michael picklum October 31, 2015 at 11:47pm
  
  Hopoate's been carrying injury all year.
- Nick > michael picklum November 1, 2015 at 12:10am
  
  He slow Pou.
- Nick > michael picklum November 1, 2015 at 1:01am
  
  He's been slow for two years fuck head. Must be his injury. That nobody knows about.
- Nick > michael picklum November 1, 2015 at 3:47pm
  
  Pou your right speed isnt everything. Look at Hodges, slow as on his last legs but still effective. Hoppa at Manly had pace in the centres when he was filling in at centre due to injury and serious x factor, creating things by himself out of nothing. Serious early explosion and totally different body type, leaner more athletic, than what he has now. I was pumped that we signed him then and pumped that hes fucking off now. I think he'd struggle to be one of the current top 20 centres in the game. Let alone being paid top five money.
- Nick > michael picklum November 1, 2015 at 3:51pm
  
  And personally I think Dugan is shit. Slowest play the ball by a supposed super star who is always appealing for penalties. What makes him better than Hoppa is that he has an odd gait making him difficult to tackle. Similar to Gillette who Nathan Hindmarsh believed was hard to tackle for the same reason.
- Nick > michael picklum November 1, 2015 at 3:59pm
  
  If that your opinion Pou fair enough. We'll just have to agree to disagree. Also i wasnt calling you names mate. It was aimed at that other idiot.