Hopoate breaks silence after ‘disgraceful’ act at function

Former NRL bad boy John Hopoate has defended his actions after being banned for life from Wests Tigers functions for allegedly abusing one of the game’s senior officials.
Hopoate was a guest at the Tigers’ gala 25-year dinner on Friday night, having played two seasons for the club in 2000-01.
But the notorious former Manly, Origin and Test winger put a sour taste on an otherwise great evening when he allegedly abused and threatened NSWRL chief executive David Trodden.
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The vitriol was so intense that Trodden left the function, with a couple of officials escorting him and his family to their car.
“I didn’t cross the line with Dave,” Hopoate told The Sydney Morning Herald after Wide World of Sports broke the story on Monday.
“There were no dramas, I just asked Dave Trodden why the NSWRL would not clear me to play.
John Hopoate for the Tigers in 2001. AAP
“I never abused him, I never threatened him, and all he kept saying was, ‘This is the wrong time’.
“I asked him why it wasn’t the right time because I wasn’t given a reason in any emails.
“All I wanted to do was play third-division at Narraweena with my son Will and some of my first cousins this year. The comp is on a Saturday, which was perfect. We wanted it to be a family affair.
“Before I was banned, clubs were being told to forfeit if I did get approved to play. The only thing I did wrong was swear at him.”
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Club CEO Shane Richardson painted a very different picture.
“It was disgraceful and he’s not welcome at Tigers functions in the future,” Richardson told Wide World of Sports.
The Tigers have since called Trodden and apologised for Hopoate’s actions.
John Hopoate outside court in 2018. AAP
Hopoate’s anger apparently dates back several years, when the NSWRL prevented him from coaching junior league football because of his atrocious record on and off the field.
Onlookers were stunned by the verbal attack.
“It was horrible to watch and all everyone could talk about afterwards,” an onlooker who declined to be named said.
“The language was disgusting and Hopoate’s actions ruined what should have been a great night for the club.”