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Brotherly love at Canterbury or the chance to join a premiership force in Canberra is the decision facing rising star Albert Hopoate.
The Bulldogs have emerged as contenders for the younger brother of Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate with the teenager rated “the best Hopoate yet” by members of his famous football family.
NRL young gun Albert Hopoate was bizarrely let go by Manly after the 2020 season, despite being called the most talented Hopoate. Picture: NRL Photos.
Albert, 19, is an exciting fullback, wing or centre, who has been cut by junior club Manly after making his NRL debut in 2020 and featuring in five first-grade games.
The teenage son of former Sea Eagles headline act John Hopoate is being targeted by the Dogs in a bid to replenish their backline in 2021.
Earlier this year, Jamil Hopoate, who played NRL this season with the Broncos boldly declared Albert boasted the most amount of talent of any Hopoate
Albert has also met with the Raiders and in touring the club’s facilities is believed to have been blown-away by their new high-performance training centre.
Albert Hopoate (right) comes up against brother Will (left) in Round 18 2020. Picture: NRL Photos.
Knowing that the Bulldogs are on a path of rebuilding under new coach Trent Barrett, the chance for an NRL start at the Raiders — a club that will contest for the 2021 title — is a major lure for the former NSW under-16’s star.
The Sea Eagles mysteriously opted to cut Hopoate after the emerging star made his NRL debut for the club last season amid an injury crisis.
The Sea Eagles also loaned Hopoate out to the New Zealand Warriors during their troubled 2020 season.
Hopoate may have to choose between joining his brother at the Bulldogs or a premiership contender at the Raiders Picture: NRL Photos.
Both the Raiders and Bulldogs were hopeful of learning if they had been successful in securing Hopoate within the next 24 to 48-hours.
Hopoate suffered two ACL injuries in the space of 12 months and went on to play every other game in the season after making his debut for the Sea Eagles in round 16.
The Bulldogs have emerged as contenders for the younger brother of Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate with the teenager rated “the best Hopoate yet” by members of his famous football family.
NRL young gun Albert Hopoate was bizarrely let go by Manly after the 2020 season, despite being called the most talented Hopoate. Picture: NRL Photos.
Albert, 19, is an exciting fullback, wing or centre, who has been cut by junior club Manly after making his NRL debut in 2020 and featuring in five first-grade games.
The teenage son of former Sea Eagles headline act John Hopoate is being targeted by the Dogs in a bid to replenish their backline in 2021.
Earlier this year, Jamil Hopoate, who played NRL this season with the Broncos boldly declared Albert boasted the most amount of talent of any Hopoate
Albert has also met with the Raiders and in touring the club’s facilities is believed to have been blown-away by their new high-performance training centre.
Albert Hopoate (right) comes up against brother Will (left) in Round 18 2020. Picture: NRL Photos.
Knowing that the Bulldogs are on a path of rebuilding under new coach Trent Barrett, the chance for an NRL start at the Raiders — a club that will contest for the 2021 title — is a major lure for the former NSW under-16’s star.
The Sea Eagles mysteriously opted to cut Hopoate after the emerging star made his NRL debut for the club last season amid an injury crisis.
The Sea Eagles also loaned Hopoate out to the New Zealand Warriors during their troubled 2020 season.
Hopoate may have to choose between joining his brother at the Bulldogs or a premiership contender at the Raiders Picture: NRL Photos.
Both the Raiders and Bulldogs were hopeful of learning if they had been successful in securing Hopoate within the next 24 to 48-hours.
Hopoate suffered two ACL injuries in the space of 12 months and went on to play every other game in the season after making his debut for the Sea Eagles in round 16.