J’maine Hopgood leaves Penrith Panthers for Parramatta Eels

A Hervey Bay junior football star who has gone on to play for the NRL’s back-to-back premiers has announced he will play for their grand final rivals next year.

Hervey Bay’s junior rugby league player turned NRL star J’maine Hopgood will always remember his time at the Penrith Panthers with fondness.

Last year in Panthers’ colours he made his debut at the highest level and has since played nine first grade matches for the premiership winners.

But next year Hopgood will pull on the jersey for the Parramatta Eels, the side the Panthers beat in the NRL grand final and their Western Sydney rivals, in a move he hopes will allow him to spend more time playing in the top grade.

Hopgood had a sensational year for Penrith’s NSW Cup team, captaining the side to a premiership and being named the competition’s Player of the Year.

He was also named man of the match after the side beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 44-10, with Hopgood scoring two tries.

He credited hooker Soni Luke with the plays that led to the tries.

“It was awesome to be a part of,” he said.

J'maine Hopgood of the Panthers is tackled during the NRL Trial Match between the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks at CommBank Stadium on February 20, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Hopgood said he was excited about heading to the Eels next year.

“It’s a good opportunity,” he said.

Hopgood said after talking with Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, he knew if he worked hard he would have the chance to break into the 17 and after being in the grand final, he knew the club was hungry to get back there and win.

Hopgood said he would miss his mates at Penrith and it would feel strange to play against his former club if the opportunity arose next year.

He said he was “forever grateful” for the opportunities he had been given by the back-to-back premiership winners.

But Hopgood said if he played against Penrith next year, he would be giving his all for his new team.

“We won’t be mates until the games over,” he said of his close friendships with those at Penrith.

Hopgood received news he would make his NRL debut on his birthday last year.

He made his first appearance for the Panthers with a win against the Gold Coast Titans in May, 2021.

Learning the news was both cause for celebration and an emotional moment for the young man.

His father, Dale Hopgood, died of a heart attack after playing a game of rugby league for the Hervey Bay Seagulls on March 24, 2007.

He was just 39.

Hopgood, who was working as a carpenter while working to achieve his dream of playing in the NRL, said he was sure his father would be incredibly proud of his achievements.