A HIGH-profile NSW State of Origin star slipped quietly on to the NRL open market.
Blues winger Will Hopoate is now officially off contract at Parramatta, with his rich deal expiring at 5pm last Friday.
Hopoate’s contract saga at Parramatta is currently before the courts and his long-term future remains uncertain.
Parramatta had made Hopoate a reduced offer to re-sign after the club sought to slash the original offer, said to be worth between $600,000 and $690,000 a season.
The Daily Telegraph understands Hopoate hasn’t agreed to the new offer.
With Parramatta’s season commitments finishing last Friday afternoon, Hopoate is now a free agent.
Parramatta return to off-season training next month, and Hopoate is not expected to attend. If he does, it will be as an uncontracted player.
An Eels official said: “As the matter is currently before the courts, the club is unable to make any comment at this stage.”
Parramatta officials believed they had reached some sort of compromise with Hopoate — but that’s not the case.
Some at Parramatta have now “gone cold” on Hopoate.
Hopoate is a current NSW Origin winger who would attract offers from rival clubs.
It is understood Melbourne has some interest in Hopoate. Canterbury and Manly, his former club, had been mooted as suitors but a move to Belmore or Brookvale would seem unlikely.
Hopoate has told some teammates he would like to remain at Parramatta. That, though, would now seem unlikely.
No rival NRL club would shell out big money for Hopoate, given their rosters and salary cap for 2016 would be just about full.
The protracted dispute between the two parties has continued an uncomfortable season for Parramatta, who also had contract dramas with prized new recruit, five-eighth Kieran Foran.
Initially, the drama started after Parramatta failed to file Hopoate’s contract with the NRL when it became apparent his massive deal would tip the Eels over the salary cap.
There was also a question over whether Hopoate was worth such an inflated contract. The Eels continue to claim the deal wasn’t valid because it was never lodged.
Hopoate’s legal team say the contract was “enforceable” because the player agreed to the terms following several months of robust negotiations. The matter is before the Supreme Court.
Replies
Teams will be falling over each other to sign him. lol
Yes agree with the above comments.
Are we there yet????
I believe he will get a hefty payout from the club and hopefully not be here next year. How can he seriously expect support from supporters throughout all of this mess and his underperformance throughout the last two years. My coin is on a small back-ended deal with Melbourne.
Hoppa we dont need leaches like yourself trying to suck the club dry, your revised offer was a lot more than you are worth, you should have taken it you dope, time to pull the happy clapping huffy out of the garage and take off you clown.
Still can't believe we offered the plodder anything let alone massive overs. It boggles the mind.
Alan I agree with you yet again! WTF How incompetent is our club making such a ridiculous offer to retain a poor player for such a large amount, and for a centre no less. Would have to be highest paid centre in the NRL wouldn't he?
He has sucked Parra dry for 4 years, time to get off the teat and piss off!
Ok..i will put it out there...how much over the cap aill we be next season.
Because if we r paying for him he will be on the books for sure
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