How could any Queenslander choose between John Hopoate and Paul Gallen?
Paul Gallen’s fight with John Hopoate is a tough one to pick, not because of who might win but because supporting either man is a serious chore.
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Friday night’s fight between John Hopoate and Paul Gallen raises arguably the greatest conundrum in the history of Australian sport.
Which of one them could you possibly want to win?
Maybe down in Sydney it is a different story. Or at least in the Sutherland Shire.
That is the only place where you’d think Gallen would have any backing at all.
As for Hopoate, I’m thinking his supporter base would come from a much narrower demographic.
As in his family.
Up here is Queensland it is Hobson’s choice.
Do you go for arguably the most disliked NSW Blues player since John Hopoate, or do you go for John Hopoate?
Probably the only result that would please Queenslanders would be a real-life version of the ending of Rocky II: a simultaneous knockdown.
Of course in the film Rocky manages to drag himself up by the ropes in the nick of time. On Friday night you’d have to think that most people would be hoping they’d both be counted out.
Personally, if I absolutely, no way around it, had to choose between the pair I’d go for Gallen because try as I might I simply cannot find one redeeming feature for Hopoate.
Even before he finally made his way into the annals of rugby league history (and that’s not a misprint by the way) he was one of the most annoying, obnoxious, distasteful characters ever to strap on a rugby league boot.
One of my favourite grand final memories is from 1997 when Hopoate scored the first try for Manly and gave Newcastle’s Robbie O’Davis an absolute gobful as he climbed to his feet.
A quarter of an hour later he was at it again, seeking out O’Davis for another spray after Craig Innes had scored Manly’s second try.
Funnily enough Hoppa didn’t have too much to say when O’Davis scored the try that put the Knights on the scoreboard late in the first half and then snaked his way over for a second to set up the Knights’ miraculous win.
Robbie O wouldn’t have needed any added motivation on the biggest day in the Knights history, but even so Hopoate provided it.
You can just hear the shattered Manly players in the dressing room after the match.
“Thanks heaps Hoppa.”
But of course he never could keep his mouth shut or his hands to himself.
Hopoate is returning to boxing following a 10 year ban from rugby league after allegedly threatening to “smash” an opposition trainer, told a club official to “f*** off” and said to an opposition player, “you’re dead. I’m going to smash you, you dog.”
He’s now saying that after “hurting” and “bashing” Gallen on Friday night he would like to fight the four NSW Rugby League officials who handed down the ban.
Classy stuff.
Gallen? Well, he didn’t make too many friends outside the Shire himself but at least he has a couple of points in his favour.
I like the fact that he completed his apprenticeship as a plumber and encourages young players these days to get a trade or qualification so they have something to fall back on.
(Too bad his old teammate Ben Barba didn’t take the tip – it would’ve come in handy.)
And then there was the time that he honoured a bet to walk nude down the main street of Cronulla to raise money for charity. (And even better, that he wore a pair of undies).
Not that either of those things can make up for his constant whingeing to referees, “forgetting” to acknowledge opponents in post-match speeches, or punches to the head of Nate Myles, but in comparison to John Hopoate the man is Prince Charming.
So good luck to you on Friday night Gal – and here’s a word of friendly advice: make sure Hoppa keeps his gloves on in the clinches.
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Originally published as How could any Queenslander choose between John Hopoate and Paul Gallen?
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