J’Maine Hopgood to represent First Nation People in NRL Indigenous Round

Last week, the Hervey Bay league star scored his first try at NRL level and this weekend, he will proudly represent the First Nation People when he lines up for his first game in the Indigenous Round.

18/05/2023 - J’maine Hopgood will play in his first NRL Indigenous Round this Friday night. Picture: NRL Photos

It’s been a week of firsts for Hervey Bay NRL star J’maine Hopgood.

Last week he scored his first try at NRL level when he went over for the Parramatta Eels in the 28-16 defeat to the Canberra Raiders.

This Saturday, Hopgood will proudly represent the First Nation People when he lines up for his first game in the NRL’s Indigenous Round.

Hopgood made his debut for the Eels in round one this season after signing from the Penrith Panthers.

The 24-year-old lock made 10 appearances for the Panthers but never played in an Indigenous Round.

He is currently the only indigenous player in the Eels squad and can’t wait to run out at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, the home of the Gadigal and Bidjigal peoples, on Friday night.

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“It means a lot to me,” said Hopgood, who last week celebrated his 24th birthday by signing a new contract which will keep him at the Eels until 2025.

“I was just saying before, I think is the first one I’ve been a part of, and actually played in the NRL.

“So it’s a first for me, and I’m really looking forward to it.

18/05/2023 - J’maine Hopgood is proud of his indigenous heritage. Picture: NRL Photos

“It’s an important week to showcase our culture. And there’s a couple of big indigenous identities in the Rabbitohs team as well.

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“I just want to go out there and hopefully have a good performance for my family.”

The Eels’ jersey for Indigenous Round has this year been designed by Sean Kinchela and acknowledges the Burramattagal people and language.

In the lead-up to Indigenous Round, Parramatta players took part in special workshops, while Hopgood was part of a photographic shoot, highlighting indigenous culture.

“It was good,” Hopgood, who played for the Indigenous All Stars against the Maori All Stars in February, said of the workshop.

“It took some of the boys a few minutes to get out of their comfort zone a bit and get up there and it ended up being a good laugh as well, which is what it’s all about.

18/05/2023 - J’maine Hopgood wearing this year’s indigenous jersey designed for the Eels by Sean Kinchela. Picture: NRL Photos

“It’s better than sitting in a room or watching a presentation about someone talking about it.

“I would rather just get out there and learn a couple of dances. And it was good to see everyone buy into it."

Of the photos, Hopgood added: “They came out awesome. So I’m just grateful to be a part of it and be a part of this club and obviously proud to be the only indigenous player in the team at the moment.

“It was good to have the kids down there as well and they did a great job with the photos.”

Hopgood has waited a while for his first NRL try after having a couple ruled out before last week’s touchdown under the posts against the Raiders.

The Queensland Origin hopeful said he was glad to have finally got the monkey off the back.

“I am glad that’s over with,” Hopgood said.

“I think I got disallowed by the bunker earlier in a couple of games in and never looked like scoring again.

“So that was good to get over on the weekend.”

The Eels take on the ladder-leading Rabbitohs on Friday, May 19, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney kicking off at 8pm.