WILL Hopoate’s expected arrival in Belmore is a move we’ve anticipated for quite some time but it’s far from simple.
Reuniting with the Des Hasler, man who gave him his NRL start back in 2010, Hopoate may have found his home for next season but the move has produced a host of unanswered questions.
Already the NRL has refused to register Sam Burgess’ deal with South Sydney until they make room in the salary cap for the international and Hopoate, a NSW Origin star, will be no different at the Bulldogs.
Someone will have to go but who? And where will he play?
Here are the five burning questions on the lips of league fans as the dominoes prepare to fall thanks to Hopoate’s impending move to the kennel.
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WHERE WILL HE PLAY?
Will Hopoate of the Eels drops a ball.Source: News Corp Australia
Hopoate last played under Hasler at Manly in 2011 where the pair claimed the NRL premiership.
During that year Hopoate played on the wing before heading off on a two-year Mormon mission.
When he returned he played both fullback and centre but according to reports, Hasler wants to see him wearing the Bulldogs’ no.1 next season.
For that to happen, Brett Morris would need to shift to the wing or possibly the centres where his twin bother Josh plays.
This means out of Curtis Rona, Sam Perrett and Tim Lafai — someone will need to step aside.
The pleasing headache for Hasler is that Hopoate is versatile.
His ability to play anywhere in the backline at such a high level means the coach can slot him into any role without a worry.
His biggest concern? Fitting Hopoate under the salary cap.
WHO WILL HAVE TO GO?
Sam Perrett has previously been mentioned as a man who could be forced to make way for Hopoate but that appears highly unlikely with the 235 NRL game veteran only recently re-signing for a further two years.
Perrett told foxsports.com.au in early November that he would be “shocked” and “horrified” if Canterbury attempted to shift him out of the club in order to sign the 23-year-old.
Perrett’s deal also features an ambassadorial position as he sets himself up for life after football.
So if not Perrett, then who? Well, it looks like Tim Lafai could be the fall guy.
Lafai’s contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of 2017 but won’t be short of interest from rival clubs.
Tim Lafai wrapped up by the Titan defence.Source: News Corp Australia
Foxsports.com.au can reveal the Gold Coast have previously discussed pursuing Lafai should a situation like this arise.
The Titans are eager to sign another quality centre to complement James Roberts and have ample room to accommodate his contract.
But Neil Henry isn’t the only coach with a place in the outside backs to fill.
Newcastle, Cronulla, St George Illawarra and Melbourne all have a vacant place in their top-tier backline for the taking.
The Sharks have been keeping a close eye on quality centres as have the Storm although their financial flexibility to accommodate a player of Lafai’s calibre could be in question.
IS THIS THE BEST MOVE FOR HOPPA?
There’s no denying that Hopoate has been below his best since returning from a two-year absence.
When he left Manly at the end of 2011, he walked away as one of the most exciting and promising young backs.
When he joined the Eels in 2014, his return was always going to be a slow process.
Having re-acclimatised to the NRL, Hopoate returned to the representative scene in 2014 for Origin II before securing the wing spot for all three Origin games in 2015.
But that didn’t stop him from coming under fire from the critics.
So can Hopoate get back to his brilliant best and silence the doubters?
If he can, the man to get him back is Des Hasler.
While many have speculated Hopoate would link back up with Manly where his father is a member of the coaching staff, Hasler’s the man who knows how to get the best out of the youngster.
Will Hopoate fends off Tony Williams.Source: News Corp Australia
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PARRAMATTA?
Brad Arthur’s troops were preparing to head into 2016 with Hopoate as soon as the season ended.
On face value, Hopoate joining the Bulldogs doesn’t affect the Eels with the club still on the lookout for a centre to fill Hopoate’s spot
But how much money do they have left to play with?
This is where things could potentially get tricky.
Former chief executive Scott Seward signed Hopoate to a huge deal that the Eels couldn’t afford or else they would be over the salary cap next season.
The deal was not registered by the Eels but Hopoate’s management believe they are entitled to the deal and have taken the club to court.
Should the Eels be forced to pay Hopoate the balance of the contract, you would expect it would have to be counted under their salary cap.
No doubt the NRL are closely monitoring this situation with the club already dealing with cap drama.
The club still faces the threat of losing competition points to start 2016 unless they can clean up their act post haste.
Will Hopoate dives low to catch a bomb.Source: News Corp Australia
ARE THE DOGS A PREMIERSHIP FORCE?
Can one man make a difference? He sure can. But is Hopoate that man?
It’s too early to say but the odds certainly aren’t in his favour.
The Bulldogs finished in fifth spot last season with Brett Morris providing some much needed punch from fullback.
But can’t Hopoate have an even greater affect?
The fifth most successful side when it came to scoring points, crossing the white line wasn’t an issue for most of the year but execution and creativity were a major concern at the back end of the season.
Without Trent Hodkinson steering the ship in the halves, the Bulldogs struggled with direction.
The addition of Hopoate doesn’t change the fact their halves pairing of Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye lacks a game manager.
Replies
Good read and good riddance. A shame really, thought he would be good for us?
Oh well...bring on Lafai or Roberts!
"The pleasing headache for Hasler is that Hopoate is versatile.
His ability to play anywhere in the backline at such a high level means the coach can slot him into any role without a worry."
Lol obviously never seen Hoppa under a high ball.
And the other has him diving low to catch a bomb. If that's the case, he was poorly positioned..
At least his off field behaviour will never be questioned as he is a gentleman. Too much of a gentleman to be a great footballer.
Crock of a story, God I hate the off season.
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