John Hopoate reprimanded, NRL hopeful cops monster ban for Manly-South Sydney SG Ball brawl

Controversial rugby league figure John Hopoate has escaped with a slap on the wrist for his role in an SG Ball brawl, the outcome for an NRL hopeful is much worse.

Rugby league is facing a crisis - and the season hasn’t even started yet.

Two Manly young guns and another promising rugby league player have been named and punished for their involvement in an ugly crowd brawl at a junior representative game last weekend.

Former NRL star John Hopoate will be also issued with a breach notice after an investigation into the incident that occurred at Erskineville Oval during an SG ball match between Manly and South Sydney.

Former Canberra Raiders junior rep Henry Alesi will be the hardest hit, facing a full season out of the game after being issued with a breach notice by the NSW Rugby League on Tuesday.

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John Hopoate has been hit with a breach notice from NSWRL. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

It is alleged Alesi instigated the fight after claims he headbutted Manly Jersey Flegg player Siua Fotu who was a spectator at the game.

While Alesi is currently not a registered player with the NSWRL, the proposed ban would stop him from playing at any level until October 31 (after the upcoming season is finished).

Alesi has until February 8 to respond to the NSWRL.

Manly also issued Fotu with a formal breach notice but he will not face a suspension given he was said to be acting in self-defence.

Manly also issued SG Ball player James Malau’ulu with a breach notice that will see him suspended for three weeks.

While Malau’ulu was not involved in the fight, he left the bench during the game after noticing Alesi involved in the fight.

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It is understood Alesi and Malau’ulu are former school mate and Alesi was at the ground to watch him play.

Hopoate’s breach notice relates not to the fight but allegations he entered the field of play without authorisation.

There is no indication as to what punishment he may face but he has until February 8 to respond to the allegations.

There had been allegations one of the men was kicked repeatedly in the head while on the ground, however the investigation concluded no evidence of that from the reports issued by both Manly and South Sydney.

Manly junior Siua Fotu. NRL Imagery

NSWRL boss Dave Trodden. NRL Imagery

NSW Rugby League boss Dave Trodden said no violent behaviour should be tolerated at any level of rugby league.

“We always treat these incidents extremely seriously,” Trodden said.

“We can’t ever tolerate behaviour like this, whether it be players, whether it be spectators. Everybody who attends our games has a legitimate expectation that they do so in a safe environment.

“And so anything like this occurs the principle perpetrators can expect to be dealt with in a harsh fashion.”

How the ugly incident unfolded

A Manly Jersey Flegg player involved in a fight in the crowd at a junior SG Ball representative rugby league match at Erskineville Oval on the weekend was said to be acting in self-defence after copping an alleged headbutt.

There had been allegations one of the men was kicked repeatedly in the head while on the ground, however Manly officials claim no evidence of that came up in their investigations.

It is understood the player could now escape with a reprimand when the joint investigation by Manly and the NSWRL concludes on Tuesday.

The other man involved in the fight is potentially facing a tougher sanction for allegedly initiating the incident.

The claim is that spectator was a former Canberra Raiders junior rep player who is no longer with the Raiders but is chasing a start at another NRL club.

He had apparently turned up to watch one of his former school mates who also plays for the Sea Eagles SG Ball team.

Sea Eagles CEO Stephen Humphreys confirmed the incident took place.

It is claimed the two men involved in the fight were known to each other from western Sydney, and initially became embroiled in a verbal argument that escalated into punches being thrown after the alleged headbutt.

Former star John Hopoate is also likely to be cautioned for entering a restricted area for players and officials while arguing with a current Manly SG Ball player.

That SG Ball player could also be sanctioned for leaving the bench during the match.

John Hopoate was allegedly acting as a peacemaker.

Hopoate was said to have been initially trying to calm the situation before his argument with the youngster, who had mistakenly thought he was involved in the fight with his mate.

Police were called to the ground but it is understood the two men involved had already departed.

In a statement, NSW Police said they were yet to receive any official reports about the incident.

There was a video of the game but it apparently did not show the alleged altercation, only players seated on the bench turning around during the game to watch the disturbance.

NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden had earlier vowed tough punishment if it was proven a registered player was involved.

Dave Trodden said the NSWRL has a zero tolerance approach to violence.

“We have, as we have to have, a zero tolerance approach to that sort of thing,” Trodden said.

“So every time it happens significant action has to follow.

“We have requested a report from Manly and we have asked them to identify who the main protagonists in the incident are and once we have received that report we will then consider any further action that might be necessary.

“But as an organisation we have a zero tolerance approach to violence whether off the field or on the field and anybody who breaches that zero tolerance approach can expect serious consequences to follow.”