John Hopoate: Former NRL Sea Eagles star avoids jail on serious driving charge

Despite a “horrendous” driving record, and with the help of a reference from Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine, notorious ex-NRL bad boy John Hopoate has sidestepped jail. Here’s what happened in court.

Notorious ex-NRL star John Hopoate has narrowly avoided jail for driving while his licence was disqualified.

Described by police as a “recidivist traffic offender”, Hopoate, 51, was caught illegally behind the wheel of a tipper truck on the northern beaches in December.

The former Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers winger was convicted in Manly Local Court on Thursday for driving the work truck, five months after his licence was disqualified for 12 months in July last year.

But instead of locking him up, magistrate Daniel Reiss, who described Hopoate’s driving record as “horrendous”, handed the high-profile former footy player an intensive correction order, which allows him to serve the jail time in the community under supervision by parole authorities.

“I feel great,” a relieved Hopoate said outside court moments after the sentence was delivered.

The relieved ex-NRL player John Hopoate outside Manly Local Court on Thursday, just after he was sentenced for driving a tipper truck while his licence was disqualified. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

“I was worried, but we got the result we wanted. I’m not inside”.

Hopoate was disqualified in July last year after being caught driving while suspended when police investigated an alleged “road rage” incident involving Hopoate at Narraweena on January 4, 2024. He was not charged over that incident.

Ex-NRL player John Hopoate outside Manly Local Court on Thursday. The court heard he continued to drive so he could support his large family. Picture: Jim O’Rourke.

He unsuccessfully appealed that driving disqualification in the District Court in September last year and was subsequently disqualified until September 2025.

But the Dee Why resident was caught driving at Collaroy in December and pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified as a second offence.

Hopoate’s traffic record, tendered to the court in July, showed he had been suspended from driving 13 times in the past.

He also had a separate driving while disqualified conviction in 2021.

Ex-NRL player John Hopoate outside Manly Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The court heard Hopoate had added 11 camera-detected driving offences to his driving record in 2024 alone.

His barrister, Johnson Jiang, told the court Hopoate owned four cars and many of those offences were committed by some of his 11 children.

Mr Jiang said his client was motivated to drive without a licence so he could work in the construction industry to support his large family.

“(Hopoate) drove because he was fearful of losing his employment,” he said.

He also pointed out Hopoate had made significant contributions to the community through his volunteer charity work, with organisations such as Legends of League, and that he coached three football teams.

Ex-NRL star John Hopoate outside Manly Local Court on February 13. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Outspoken former NRL star and pro-boxer Anthony “The Man” Mundine provided Hopoate a written reference.

While sentencing Hopoate, Mr Reiss said “he doesn’t care” about his driving responsibilities.

“He’s got a horrendous record … with many, many demerit point suspensions,” Mr Reiss said.

“(His) driving is appalling.”

As well as the intensive correction order, Hopoate must complete 100 hours community service. He was disqualified from driving for another 12 months.

Outside court, Hopoate said he loved community work.

“That’s all I do is community work,” he said.