MAFS star Al Perkins gets a dose of reality playing A Grade for Bondi United

Al Perkins made a name for himself performing ‘shoeys’ on MAFS and Love Island – now he is getting a weekly dose of reality playing A Grade with Bondi United.

Bondi United rugby league club has a proud honour roll of old boys — Luke Ricketson, John Peard, Ferris Ashton, Kevin Junee, Johnny Mayes and Paul Dunn.

All rose through the ranks to become Roosters legends.

The club is now home to someone almost as well known – although for his reality TV show appearances as much as his football prowess.

Al Perkins appeared on Married at First Sight and Love Island, two hugely popular shows watched by millions. Now the 26-year-old is playing A grade for Bondi United — a centre or fullback and a lifelong Roosters fan.

Al Perkins in Bondi United and inset with his girlfriend Hope Kelesis.

A-grade league is a tough game, but even more so when your nickname is “Hollywood”, you’ve got thousands of adoring female fans, and the opposition wants to knock your block off.

“I cop it all the time. They love giving me shit,” Al said.

“There was a game where I got whacked a couple of weeks ago. They came in over the top, rubbed my face into the dirt and started screaming ‘smashed at first sight.’

“It doesn’t worry me at all – it’s just part of the game.”

He sees footy as an escape from the madness of TV and social media where he has 300,000 Instagram followers.

“Footy’s a bit like my therapy,” he said. “An escape from everything else going on in your life.

“On the field you’re just one of the boys and everyone’s equal.

“Playing and training takes your mind off everything else.

“You’re just focused on winning and having a bit of fun. It’s being in a team and the camaraderie.”

Al Perkins loves a shoey.

Al is an eastern suburbs boy, back working as a carpenter, seemingly enjoying the notoriety of being the clumsy but loveable contestant on the two shows where he was known for loving a beer and doing shoeys.

“The shows changed my life massively,” he said.

“It was mayhem. All the hype. You get stopped everywhere. I’m not complaining but it was pretty full on.”

Hope Kelesis and Al Perkins

Coach Brett Jackson can’t speak highly enough of what Al brings to the United team.

He weighs only 80kg but is known for his strength and speed.

“He’s just a lovely fella, the nicest bloke you’d ever meet,” Jackson said. “And he can play too – he’s quick and he’s tough. Last year he played only a handful of games and we really missed him.”

Al is now done with his days on the dating shows and he is no longer single.

He is in a relationship with 18-year-old TikTok star and social media influencer Hope Kelesis.

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” he said, “Life was amazing being single, and I said to myself I was going to be single for the next year or two. But it’s when you least expect it … it crept up on me. She’s an amazing person.”