NRL 2024: Raiders star Albert Hopoate reveals gruesome BBQ burns | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh

Raiders star Albert Hopoate reveals how his career nearly went up in flames, breaking his silence on the shocking barbecue explosion that left him scarred. See the full Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

Canberra Raiders star Albert Hopoate has spoken for the first time of the shocking accident from a barbecue explosion that could have ruined his NRL career.

Hopoate, 23, suffered a terrible burn to his right arm when a can of olive oil sitting on the barbecue, burst into flames as he cooked dinner at teammate Corey Harawira-Naera’s house.

Miraculously he plans to make a comeback next weekend against the Broncos with the arm heavily bandaged.

The accident happened before Canberra’s round 4 game against Cronulla.

Speaking for the first time, Hopoate said: “I’m pretty lucky, that’s for sure. Someone left some olive oil too close to the barbecue and the can exploded in flames.

“That photo you have was a couple of days after it happened.

“It’s not pretty.”

Like a scene out of I Am Legend – Canberra Raiders player Albert Hopoate was burned in a BBQ fire. Credit: Supplied.

Hopoate knows it could have been so much worse.

“I’m lucky, it could have got my face, my eyes, who knows?” he said. “The pain was pretty bad. I went straight to the doctor and he patched it up.

“Lucky it didn’t get infected and I’m not in any pain.

“I’ve been back to training and can catch and pass a footy again.

“I’m all good and hoping to play next week.”

CLOTHES CALL FOR DOGS

The Canterbury Bulldogs almost lost their jerseys before Friday night’s game against Melbourne.

When the team arrived at Tullamarine on Thursday, their jerseys were nowhere to be seen.

Turns out an airport baggage handler thought the gear bag – marked The Bulldogs – was for the AFL team Western Bulldogs and he placed the jerseys in a bay where all the AFL teams regularly collect their luggage.

SAINT

Good on Channel 9 and Fox Sports for refusing to join the Roosters’ celebration of Michael Jennings’ 300th game. Both networks declined to interview Jennings because of his domestic violence issue.

No one wanted to hear from him.

SINNER

He might be a good coach and good person but Trent Robinson was so out of order with his comments around Jennings’ 300th game, which the White Ribbon organisation said was “frankly outrageous and appalling”.

Two Sydney clubs should be interested in Broncos star Kotoni Staggs.

SHOOSH

The battle for Kotoni Staggs’ signature is not a two-horse race between the Dolphins and Broncos. Manly will be cashed up with Josh Schuster’s money and had a lash at him two years ago. The Roosters, who will lose Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, will also be in the running.

SHOOSH

The Parramatta Eels are not just under the pump with their NRL squad, the club is also dealing with a huge junior league backlash over the banning of a number of elite 16-year-olds from playing in their local competitions because they chose to try out for other NRL clubs in Harold Matthews. This is the same club that lost boom Wests Tigers rookie Lachlan Galvin from their juniors. The Eels need to get their act together.

SPOTTED

Sydney Roosters forward Nat Butcher with wife Harmony and their baby boy, Beau – the couple’s first child.

Nat Butcher, wife Harmony and new baby Beau

SPOTTED

Legendary West Indies fast bowler Michael “Whispering Death” Holding is one of the world’s most respected cricket commentators — but he is not a fan of the T20 game. Asked recently why he was not commentating on the Indian Premier League, he said: “I only commentate on cricket.”

EELS NEED NEW MAJOR SPONSOR

The struggling Parramatta Eels are on the lookout for a new major sponsor for 2025.

Prominent Sydney developer Andrew Hrsto and his company Aland have been the Eels’ front-of-jersey sponsor for almost 10 years.

The company will remain as a partner in a reduced role on the back of the jersey.

We put it to Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos that billionaire Hrsto was disappointed about the team’s poor start to the season after missing the finals last year.

“Andrew is passionate about the club and has provided great support over a long period of time,” Sarantinos said.

“Obviously we want everyone at the club to be happy. With members, fans and sponsors that’s not the case all the time.

“A couple of losses can amplify things.

“We get that.”

SEIBOLD’S SUCCESS TO LAND NEW DEAL

Not all NRL coaches are under the pump as much as Jason Demetriou, Des Hasler and Brad Arthur.

Anthony Seibold knows all about it from his dark days at the Brisbane Broncos.

Seibold is now doing a great job at the Manly Sea Eagles and is about to open talks around a contract extension. His current deal expires at the end of next season.

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov and Seibold have an agreement to open discussions after Round 10.

Seibold started at Manly with a fractured playing group from the pride jersey fiasco.

He quickly rebuilt relationships and has built a football team that is a genuine title contender.

Not all NRL coaches are under the pump. Manly coach Anthony Seibold could soon sign a new deal to remain at the club. Photo by David Becker.

SCHUSTER INTEREST BUT NO ONE SAYING

NRL clubs are really good at playing mind games and putting up smokescreens around recruitment.

Publicly, Manly’s 16 premiership rivals have all said they are not interested in Josh Schuster.

Privately, two clubs have contacted his manager Mario Tarak in the last few days.

Not with offers, but with expressions of interest and questions around his wellbeing.

Obviously, Schuster would have to take a massive pay cut, but watch this space in regards him getting another opportunity.

DOUEIHI OVERSEES OWN CONTRACT

Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi has a new manager – himself.

He has broken the mould by taking over his own affairs, including negotiations with the Tigers for a contract extension.

He was previously managed by Sam Ayoub.

The injured star, who is off contract at the end of the season, recently opened his own negotiations with chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall. Doueihi is recovering from his third ACL tear but is aiming to be back in round 17.

The 25-year-old is looking forward to doing his own deal.

Adam Doueihi is taking matters into his own hands at the Wests Tigers.

“I don’t find it daunting at all having to do my own negotiations,” he said.

“Even if it means having to ring other clubs if we can’t work things out at the Wests Tigers.

“Dealing with business people on my own is something I wanted to challenge myself with.

“I don’t mind a bit of networking with successful people. I’ll enjoy the challenge.”

Doueihi says his preference is to remain at the Tigers.

“I’ve started talks with Benji and Richo to get their thoughts for next year,” he said.

“I think I’m the second longest-serving player at the club behind Alex Twal. I’d love to stay but we’ve got new halves and the boys have started the season really well.

“They’ve got to decide where they see my role in the future and we’ll go from there.

“I’ve always seen myself in the halves. I’ve leaned up a bit and I feel better and lighter.

“Maybe I’ll come off the bench later in the year wherever I fit in.”

GALLOP IN STEP

There is always life after working at the NRL.

Former chief executive David Gallop is now the chairman of clothing company Step One, aside from his other roles as chairman of Venues NSW and being a Tabcorp board member.

In the past 12 months, the Step One Clothing share price has increased by 535 per cent on the ASX – from 27c to $1.72. Its revenue is up 25 per cent in a tough retail climate.

TIGERS MISS THEIR CUE

Wests Tigers missed a golden opportunity to promote suburban ground footy for the match against St George Illawarra today in the Macarthur region.

CEO Shane Richardson could so easily have put on three games – NRL, NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg – for the fans at Campbelltown in a flashback to the good old days of three grades.

Instead, Wests Tigers played the Dragons in NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg on Saturday afternoon at Lidcome Oval.

With the future of Campbelltown and Leichhardt in doubt for home games, this could have been a fantastic old-school promotion for suburban footy.

BEL-MORE BLOODSHED

There’s been another sacking at Canterbury – this time the Bulldogs’ Harvey Norman women’s team coach Craig Sandercock.

Sandercock was also head of female pathways, developing the team that recently finished as minor premiers in the under-17s Lisa Fiaola Cup.

It’s interesting that none of the behind-the-scenes bloodshed at Belmore, including the sacking of life member Barry Ward, is being reported by the news hounds at Nine Entertainment.

Todd Carney (L) and Mitchell Pearce celebrate team try during South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters NRL game at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park, Homebush in Sydney.

TWO ‘N’ A HALF ACUMEN

Old teammates Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney want to do something about the lack of emerging halfbacks in the NRL.

Outside of Nathan Cleary, many of the great halves – Daly Cherry-Evans, Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt and Shaun Johnson – are well into their thirties.

Carney and Pearce have discussed setting up their own halves academies for youngsters aged from 12 to 17.

Pearce played 309 games, 41 in the UK Super League and 19 Origin matches.

Carney played 166 games for the Raiders, Roosters and Sharks, plus 55 games in the UK Super League and three Origin games for NSW.

Both have experienced all the highs and lows, both on and off the field, and would have plenty to pass on to future NRL prospects.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you on the Weekend Big Sports Breakfast this morning at 9.40am with Ray Thomas and Dean Bulldog Ritchie to discuss all the big rugby league issues.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Raiders star Albert Hopoate reveals gruesome BBQ burns | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh