John Hopoate hit with lifetime ban over 'disgraceful' incident at Wests Tigers function

Infamous NRL bad-boy John Hopoate has been banned from attending Wests Tigers functions for the foreseeable future after an alleged verbal altercation with an official at a function last week. The 50-year-old, who played 28 games for the Tigers during his controversial NRL career, is said to have "harassed" NSW Rugby League chief executive Dave Trodden.

Hopoate was a guest at a Wests Tigers gala dinner on Friday night to mark their 25 years in the NRL. But the night is said to have turned sour when Hopoate allegedly abused Trodden - the boss of the NSWRL - over the governing body's move to block him from playing local footy with son Will.

According to reports, Trodden and his family left the function immediately and were quite shaken by the incident. Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told Wide World of Sports: "It was disgraceful and he's not welcome at Tigers functions in the future."

Hopoate's verbal altercation on Trodden reportedly stems from the NSWRL's decision to ban him on multiple fronts due to his extensive rap sheet. "It was horrible to watch and all everyone could talk about afterwards," one person who witnessed the alleged incident told WWOS.

John Hopoate speaks out but denies abusing Dave Trodden

Hopoate has since confirmed the incident took place, but told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I didn’t cross the line with Dave. There were no dramas, I just asked Dave Trodden why the NSWRL would not clear me to play.

“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.”

John Hopoate's controversial NRL career

Hopoate played 209 NRL games from 1993 to 2005, including 181 with Manly and the Northern Eagles. His two-year stint with the Tigers will live long in the memory of NRL fans - but not for the right reasons.

He was hit with a 12-game suspension for three seperate incidents in which he 'poked' North Queensland players in the anus during a game that year. He later agreed to part ways with the Tigers over the scandal.

He was then thrown a lifeline and returned with the Northern Eagles - a joint venture between Manly and North Sydney - which only last two seasons. He went on to play another three seasons with the Sea Eagles, but not without more controversy.

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He was hit with with a 17-week ban in 2005 and Manly terminated his contract after a shocking elbow to the head of Cronulla forward Keith Galloway. The suspension and termination effectively ended Hopoate's career as a professional player, and he hasn't managed to shy away from scandal in the years that have followed.

In 2018 he was charged by the NSWRL for punching opposition players while playing for the Narraweena Hawks against Forestville in a local A Grade match. As a result he was banned from all involvement in NSW rugby league for 10 years.

Hopoate has a number of sons who have played in the NRL, with Will Hopoate representing Manly, Parramatta and the Bulldogs while also playing State of Origin for NSW. Lehi Hopoate made his debut for Manly this year and has been a sensation.