Jamil Hopoate will make his NRL debut for Brisbane in Round 1 clash with North Queensland

Four years after he was jailed, Jamil Hopoate will come full circle and make his NRL debut in Brisbane’s season opener against North Queensland. SEE THE FULL TEAM HERE.

Cowboys v Broncos NRL Trial game at Barlow Park. Broncos' Jamil Hopoate. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

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The Broncos will unveil another debutant in Jamil Hopoate with a fresh setback to skipper Alex Glenn paving the way for the former bad boy to launch his NRL career against the Cowboys this Friday night.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Jamil, the son of Manly legend John Hopoate, will join Titans recruit Jesse Arthars as Broncos newcomers for the premiership-opening blockbuster at the Cowboys’ $250 million North Queensland Stadium.

It will cap an emotional career resurrection for the 25-year-old Hopoate, who will celebrate his NRL debut for the Broncos six years after he was jailed for assault at the age of 19.

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Hopoate has impressed in the pre-season. Picture by Stewart McLean.

Since joining the Broncos 18 months ago, Hopoate has been exemplary in his behaviour and has been so damaging for feeder-club Redcliffe that Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold believes he is ready for an NRL call-up.

Hopoate was on standby for Glenn. The skipper has been battling a hamstring strain for the past two weeks but after Glenn suffered some calf tightness on Friday, the Broncos are unlikely to risk him against the Cowboys _ opening the door for Hopoate.

A hard-running back-rower with good skill, Hopoate will be named on the bench this Tuesday and his Redcliffe coach Adam Mogg insists he will thrive in the Cowboys cauldron.

“I will shed a tear if Jamil makes his NRL debut,” Mogg said.

“I have a soft spot for ‘Hoppa’, he is well respected at our footy club, the players love him.

“He is a real ball of energy and a character.

The son of former Manly winger John, Jamil is a Redcliffe stalwart. AAP Image/Renae Droop.

“He competes really well. In offence, he can play like a five-eighth, he is a great ball-playing lock forward. While he has skill, he is a real competitor, he won’t be fazed by the pressure and he won’t let the Broncos down.”

Glenn’s likely scratching will see Tevita Pangai Jr start in the back row, with Tom Flegler to partner Payne Haas in the front row.

The final interchange spot is a showdown between Rhys Kennedy, Ethan Bullemore and Jordan Riki. Kennedy is favoured to get the nod because rookies Bullemore and Riki are on development contracts and would require dispensation to play from the NRL.

Hopoate’s turnaround has been remarkable. He celebrated his 20th birthday behind bars and upon release, he was banned from playing rugby league for 12 months by the NRL integrity unit.

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Hopoate spent time in prison for assault.

After playing his first trial match for the Broncos against Souths Logan last year in Warwick, Hopoate told The Sunday Mail his stint in prison was a life-changing episode.

“Jail is no place for anyone,” he said. “Dad just told me to focus, knuckle down and scrap all the partying and all the bullshit.

“It was scary in jail. No-one wants to ever go through that, I don’t wish it upon anyone.

“But it’s made me the man I am today … now I want to be a better person and role model for my daughter.”

Seibold said the 95kg Hopoate is NRL quality.

“He is ready to play first grade,” he said. “It’s been a while coming, there’s been some challenges (with his stint in jail) but he’s been a standout in pre-season.”

LIKELY ROUND ONE TEAM: Jack Bird, Corey Oates, Darius Boyd, Kotoni Staggs, Jesse Arthars, Anthony Milford, Brodie Croft, Tom Flegler, Jake Turpin, Payne Haas, David Fifita, Tevita Pangai Jr, Pat Carrigan (c). Bench: Jamayne Isaako, Andrew McCullough, Rhys Kennedy, Jamil Hopoate.