John Hopoate banned for life after confronting NSWRL boss Dave Trodden at Wests Tigers function

Perennial rugby league bad boy John Hopoate has been barred for life from all Wests Tigers functions after allegedly angrily confronting NSWRL CEO David Trodden at a 25th-anniversary dinner on Friday night.

The former NSW winger, who was a part of the joint venture club’s inaugural team in 2000, reportedly made a scene at the function after confronting Trodden after the NSWRL decided to prevent him from playing in a local third-grade competition alongside his son Will.

“It was a really disappointing way to end what was an excellent night,” Richardson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘’It was disgraceful and he’s not welcome at Tigers functions in the future.’’

Hopoate, who turned 50 this year, received a 10-year suspension in 2018 while playing in the Manly A-grade competition but the second half of the ban had been suspended, meaning he was entitled to apply for a return to the playing field this year.

“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,” Hopoate told the SMH.

“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.”