Lehi Hopoate

[Dion Johnson]

He belongs, very good at reading the play, was in position and near the ball every time the Panthers made a break or scored.

Learning on the run, the thing that is impressive is he has learned very quickly with his error rate in NSW cup going into first grade..

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

He's been a real highlight over the last two weeks. Have loved watching him play.

 

[Jay Eagle]

I

He's been a real highlight over the last two weeks. Have loved watching him play.

Was at the game.. he's a star.. so cool. And his defence for a young kid with a slight build amazing.. saved at least 3 tries

 

[Jay Eagle]

Quality fullback.

Quality player.

 

[Nordburg]

I

Was at the game.. he's a star.. so cool. And his defence for a young kid with a slight build amazing.. saved at least 3 tries

His defence has been terrific but with the ball,it really highlights how much the team misses Tom

 

[Jay Eagle]

His defence has been terrific but with the ball,it really highlights our much the team misses Tom

He's still got to develop into his body and needs a good game where the team clicks and he gets open space and scores a try.. he will be really good fullback at 21/22..I'm talking origin in 3 years.. watch this space

 

[Dion Johnson]

His defence has been terrific but with the ball,it really highlights our much the team misses Tom

I don’t think he has been a passenger with the ball, was a nice ball to Talau.

The attacking part of his game will grow exponentially with time and exposure around the playing group,

 

[Raffa]

He’s phenomenal. I honestly think Turbo to the centres and Hopoate at fullback

 

[davohan123]

He's been a real highlight over the last two weeks. Have loved watching him play.

Hope we keep him long term

Turbo to centre on return

 

[JenEagle]

He’s better than turbo in defence and under the high ball and has no injury issues (yet)

 

[Under the Sticks]

The “new” Joe Cool!

 

[Hibyemama]

Hoppa saved many tries today, without Lehi, score would have been 50-22.

 

[Nordburg]

I don’t think he has been a passenger with the ball, was a nice ball to Talau.

The attacking part of his game will grow exponentially with time and exposure around the playing group,

I wasn’t being critical of him nor do I think he won’t develop his game.Just making the point that Tom is still the no.1 no.1,which a lot of people seem to have forgotten

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I wasn’t being critical of him nor do I think he won’t develop his game.Just making the point that Tom is still the no.1 no.1,which a lot of people seem to have forgotten

Sadly, Tom seems to have forgotten this as well. The way Lehi was constantly hustling in and out of the defensive line and sprinting across in cover today was awesome. That effort should have been inspiring to his older teammates. It was not.

 

[AndWeDon'tCare]

Sadly, Tom seems to have forgotten this as well. The way Lehi was constantly hustling in and out of the defensive line and sprinting across in cover today was awesome. That effort should have been inspiring to his older teammates. It was not.

I was thoroughly impressed with Lehi, he performed well beyond my expectations.

Seeing him live, for such a young man, his positional play during a defensive set is fantastic and he is quite good at "talking to the line".

What was even more outstanding was his "scramble" as our last line of defense, although at times, it couldn't prevent a try, it certainly showed his "footy smarts" are already present.

After today, this position is his to lose whilst Tom is out, and the two people who need to take a real good look at themselves are Koula and Garrick.

Their defense today (as it has been the last 6 or so weeks) was abysmal, forget whatever blame you attribute to either DCE or Brooks, their respective, one on one reads and defense were pathetic.

 

[joeboy]

Hopefully his emergence inspires Tom as he has seemed bereft of inspiration this year.

Lehi is going to be a great player. And has the makings of a champion. But tom is our fullback he just needs to get back to what made him so

Has lehi played any wing or centre?

 

[CRPSI eagle]

This kid can play and should not be moved for anyone.Our next star.
I’ve had a gut full 8 game a year blown gasket, he’s finished.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Hopefully his emergence inspires Tom as he has seemed bereft of inspiration this year.

Lehi is going to be a great player. And has the makings of a champion. But tom is our fullback he just needs to get back to what made him so

Has lehi played any wing or centre?

He started in the centres for Blacktown before being moved to fullback. From memory, all his junior footy has been at fullback, with maybe a couple of games on the wing.

 

[DanielTurbo888]

I haven't seen him make one error yet in 160 minutes of football. Tom would have made 5 or 6 unforced errors in comparison. We would have lost by more today if Tom was fullback instead of Hopoate.

 

[DanielTurbo888]

Hopefully his emergence inspires Tom as he has seemed bereft of inspiration this year.

Lehi is going to be a great player. And has the makings of a champion. But tom is our fullback he just needs to get back to what made him so

Has lehi played any wing or centre?

No way. We have to give this kid what he wants so he stays. If Lehi wants to play FB then move over Tom you had your chances already this year