John Hopoate Blocked By The NRL

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Its "Greenturd", but never the less, Fingers should not be coaching children.

Time for John to pass quietly into obscurity & let his kids rescue the family name.
 
Yep don't know if the NRL has jurisdiction in this and feel for Hopoate as it has been left to go this far, should have been sorted last year.

However the players in the SG ball team are the victims in all this. Probably busted there guts all off season only to watch the season unravelling from the very first game. I also feel sorry for any parent who has a kid in this team. Appointing Hoppoate was a bad move from the start now it's turning into a nightmare. What a joke!
 
Funny how the NRL have put up with parra rorting the cap for a couple of years (even with warnings they are doing it) and then Manly have an infraction for a SG Ball coaching perspective and we get threatened with points deduction!

While I don't agree with Hoppa being coach, I hardly think it is in the same league as parra rorting the system like they have been doing both before the NRL warned them and since.

Considering Hoppa's pretty bad record I can see why the NRL are gun shy but then you see Danny wicks being cleared after drug trafficking and of course Russell packer stomping on defenceless guys heads and you have to wonder where there common sense is.

We would have no choice to stand him down.

Hoppa just should've sold some ecstasy or committed grievous bodily harm and he would've been ok. Wow, the world we live in now!
 
As much as I despised Greenturd I think the NRL for once have it right. The decision to appoint Hoppa was a controversial and to me a risky appointment, Over the years the club showed amazing tolerance and patience over Hoppa and his catalogue of misdemeanors. The Hoppa clan more than once has turned their back on our club and it is time for some common sense to prevail and understand that this decision to appoint him was indeed the wrong one!!
 
Some clubs have affiliated clubs in the lower competitions. So in similar circumstances those NRL clubs would presumably be untouchable by the NRL. If the NRL want to play heavy handed, then maybe Manly should pull out - i.e. separate lower grades from the club - so they can't attack Manly. We did it before with the Sunshine Coast before being forced back into the NSWRL comp. Given the circumstances, with the NRL attacking the NSWRL, I assume the NSWRL might even support this as an extraordinary change.

I wouldn't have chosen Hoppa as a coach, but it is up to the Penns who they choose. And it is NSWRL juridiction.

This type of extreme heavy-handedness and breaching of their legitimate powers is the sort of stuff that can foster a desire for a rebel competition.
 
This is getting ****ing stupid


Barrister urges Manly Sea Eagles to 'man up' and fight for John Hopoate

John Hopoate's legal representative has urged Manly's administration to "man up" and defy the NRL's call for him to be banned from coaching the club's SG Ball team despite the threat of sanctions and a recommendation by the NSW police force's Organised Crime Squad that he shouldn't be in a position of influence over impressionable young men.

Barrister Julieanne Levick has suggested the Sea Eagles take up the fight even though the NRL has threatened to fine the club and strip Manly of competition points if Hopoate remains in charge of the team.

It was reported "crisis talks" were held between the NRL and Manly on Friday after the governing body prepared a breach notice that outlined an up-front fine of $30,000 and ongoing fines for every week Hopoate continued to coach the under-18 squad.

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Fairfax understands the breach notice wasn't served after the Sea Eagles told the NRL integrity unit's boss, Nick Weeks, that Hopoate wouldn't be coaching the team on the weekend because the team had a bye.

The NRL's position is that officials of each NRL club must be registered with the league, and as Hopoate hasn't been granted registration it says he is ineligible to be involved in an official capacity with the Sea Eagles.

Weeks also asserts Hopoate is not a fit and proper person for registration based on his past brushes with the law and his past on-field antics.

The bye prevented a possible flashpoint situation, but Levick implored Manly to ensure Hopoate is in charge of the team when it plays Canberra at Brookvale Oval this Saturday.

"It's time for the club to man up and back Hopoate 100 per cent," said Levick, who also represents William Hopoate, Todd Carney and a host of other NRL players involved in legal battles with NRL clubs.

Levick said the SG Ball competition is governed by the NSWRL – not the NRL – meaning the NRL has no jurisdiction over Hopoate as coach of a SG Ball team.

NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden reiterated as late as last Thursday that Hopoate has fulfilled the criteria to be an SG Ball coach.

Levick pointed out what she called the "hypocrisy" of the stand-off, saying Hopoate was selected by the NRL to do a coaching course that provides a pathway to coach at the elite level.

"He was hand-picked by the NRL to do the course that qualified him to coach first grade" Levick said. 'So on the one hand they pick him and put him through the courses to coach first grade but on the other hand they say 'no, you can't coach'."

Hopoate was suspended for a NRL record 45 weeks during his 209-game first-grade career and before being rubbed out of the game in 2005 after copping a 17-match ban for a tackle on Keith Galloway. He was suspended for 12 games in 2001 for poking opposition players up the backside.

Hopoate is bitterly upset about his coaching career being in jeopardy and, in his view, believes it is a personal attack.

"Never go to the casino and yet get barred. Tried to ask why [I'm banned] when I don't go there and they said 'don't have to tell you why'," Hopoate wrote on Facebook.

"Looks like they just pull your name out of a hat … what a load of crap especially when you never go to the place. The NRL handpick me to do a high performance course in Nov so I can coach 1st grade yet turn around and say you can't coach.

"It's alright for them to take the $400 off me to pay for the course but now it's not ok for me to coach. It's like giving me a driver's licence and then saying 'sorry you can't drive'. I ain't no angel but if there's 1 thing I love and that's giving back to kids and make them not make the same mistakes I've done," he wrote.

"If there's 1 thing I can teach the kids [it] is what NOT to do."

His frustration was said to have been galvanised by a source who alleged Weeks said during a meeting he'd "change the rules if I'm wrong about that" when a Sea Eagles official said he was acting outside of his jurisdiction in trying to ban a SG Ball coach.

NSW police Detective Inspector Wayne Walpole wrote a letter to Weeks outlining his concern about Hopoate being in a position where he mentors young men.

Levick pointed out Hopoate has coached in the Manly juniors for a number of years and said there were parents of the players he'd coached who'd support him.

"Hopoate is eminently suited to coach and mentor these young men, it's in his blood and something he's been doing successfully for years," she said. "It's an absolute nonsense, you only need to talk to the player's and their parents, they'll set the record straight.

"These people judging him haven't even taken the time to even meet him. It's an absolute disgrace."
 
How did it ever get to this?
There must of been a 100 better choices for the job.
This is what happens when politics, ego and pig headingness gets in the way of common sense.

Is headingness a real word??? Whatever!
 
There are so many questions here. Can a cop write a letter in his official capacity disparaging someone's character? Can the NRL take that letter and make it the basis of a decision? It stinks, frankly. Hoppa will have a good case here and i think the policeman will be in a bit of hot water. Does he provide negative references for other people seeking employment? Who is he to judge?
 
So the NRL can strip you of points now for employing someone they don't like?

They (the NRL) really wouldn't want this to go to court if he only has to be registered with the NSWRL and they also had him attend one of their coaching clinics. That's a legal lay up for Manly.
 
If it's what's in the public domain, then clearly there is no justification AT ALL for him to stick his nose in.

If it is not in the public domain, but he can't reveal any reasons then how can anybody assess, let alone test, his opinion?

The NRL should knee-jerk because some bloke from left-field has some opinion he can't reveal anything about? Maybe he just hates Hoppa.
 
So the NRL can strip you of points now for employing someone they don't like?

They (the NRL) really wouldn't want this to go to court if he only has to be registered with the NSWRL and they also had him attend one of their coaching clinics. That's a legal lay up for Manly.
'Bringing the game into disrepute' would cover the NRL legally.

Plus we are not privy to what Hoppa had been up to since his coaching clinic last year. Hoppa's lawyer is in it for the fee and not for his benefit either.

The 'open source' events would allow the NRL's legal guy to request a copy.

The further he and ZtH are away from Manly, the more professional our Franchise looks @:cool:
 
'Bringing the game into disrepute' would cover the NRL legally.

Plus we are not privy to what Hoppa had been up to since his coaching clinic last year. Hoppa's lawyer is in it for the fee and not for his benefit either.

The 'open source' events would allow the NRL's legal guy to request a copy.

The further he and ZtH are away from Manly, the more professional our Franchise looks @:cool:
I can't stand Hoppa but I really can't see how an SG Ball coach, by his mere presence, brings the game into disrepute. You've got a convicted drug dealer playing for Parra along with enough players with domestic violence offences on their record to wash out a lot of his garbage.

I get where you're coming from but if that extends to employees of teams then I'm sure a lot of clubs would have to review general staffing (eg security etc) lest they too get docked and fined.
 
'Bringing the game into disrepute' would cover the NRL legally.
Plus we are not privy to what Hoppa had been up to since his coaching clinic last year.
And, based on what we are told, neither are the NRL privy to this. So how can they possibly assess it?

There is a reason we have courts and don't just take police "opinions" as law.

On that logic, some police officer should approach the Pope telling him Pell is not suitable for a church role because he is being investigated re pedophilia allegations? You'd expect the conviction to come first wouldn't you? Natural justice? On the other hand the Pope, and Penn, can form their own unforced opinions, and act appropriately.
 
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And, based on what we are told, neither are the NRL privy to this. So how can they possibly assess it?

There is a reason we have courts and don't just take police "opinions" as law.

On that logic, some police officer should approach the Pope telling him Pell is not suitable for a church role because he is being investigated re pedophilia allegations? You'd expect the conviction to come first wouldn't you? Natural justice? On the other hand the Pope, and Penn, can form their own unforced opinions, and act appropriately.
Convictions are not required for an Organization to dismiss you.

Something serious is going on for Manly to be in talks with the NRL, and for lawyers to be talking to the media.:wondering:

Fans will be the last to be informed, even though this matter can drag on and waste another season for us :banghead:

The 'distepute' charge is a great intangible that can not be attacked in a court of law. NRL can claim it and Manly can waste their money on lawyers till their coffers dry up.

NRL is an 'invitation to participate' organization. So they have nothing to lose if they do not invite Manly back - plenty of others waiting for a space to open up.:rolleyes:

I do not get the point of challenging the Governing body :shake:
 
Convictions are not required for an Organization to dismiss you.

Something serious is going on for Manly to be in talks with the NRL, and for lawyers to be talking to the media.:wondering:

Fans will be the last to be informed, even though this matter can drag on and waste another season for us :banghead:

The 'distepute' charge is a great intangible that can not be attacked in a court of law. NRL can claim it and Manly can waste their money on lawyers till their coffers dry up.

NRL is an 'invitation to participate' organization. So they have nothing to lose if they do not invite Manly back - plenty of others waiting for a space to open up.:rolleyes:

I do not get the point of challenging the Governing body :shake:
Manly is the employing organisation, not the NRL. I'm no lawyer, but I would've thought in the circumstances the NRL would need something new, tangible, and provable in court to sustain a disrepute charge in court. On what we're told, they don't have this.

IMO the NRL would potentially and significantly threaten its own existence if it tried something as stupid and heavy-handed as not inviting a club like Manly to participate. Especially over something as relatively insignificant as this, seen from the bigger perspective. It would be proof that the NRL had "lost it", and needed to be replaced. Teams everywhere would naturally fear for their continued existence under the NRL. Fear brings mutinies.

We'll have to wait and see what the Penn response is. It is unfortunate this has all played out in public because egos everywhere will be inflamed, making a satisfactory resolution less likely.
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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