Jamil Hopoate sacked: Manly Sea Eagles young gun axed after jail sentence for assault

MANLY have sacked young gun Jamil Hopoate after the serial bad boy was jailed for at least one year over an unprovoked attack of a man outside a Sydney pub.

Jamil Hopoate, charged over the one-punch assault of a man at a Manly bar,leaves the Downing Centre after his case was adjourned. Picture by Justin Sanson

MANLY have sacked young gun Jamil Hopoate after the serial bad boy was jailed for at least one year over the drunken, brutal and unprovoked attack of a man outside a Sydney pub.

Hopoate was stood down by the Sea Eagles on Wednesday immediately after the sentence was handed down by the court, and released a statement on Thursday afternoon announcing the 20-year-old’s axing.

JAMIL HOPOATE SENT TO JAIL FOR ASSAULT

Jamil Hopoate arrives at court before being sentenced to jail.

“The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have terminated the contract of Jamil Hopoate with immediate effect,” a statement on the club’s website said.

“The NRL’s integrity unit has been informed of the decision. The club will not be commenting any further on the matter.”

Hopoate is the younger brother of 2011 Manly premiership player, Parramatta cleanskin Will, and the son of controversial former NRL star John.

Manly’s decision to sack Hopoate is likely to end his career before it really got going, given the growing rap sheet owned by the young man.

Hopoate’s manager, Tyrone Smith, on Wednesday alluded to the fork in the road his client was facing.

“It will finish him,” Smith said.

“I think with his talents, his footy is what’s helping him move forward. Other than that, there’s not much more.”

Hopoate’s older brother and NRL star Will took to social media to show his support for his brother, and said time in jail would “shatter” him and the family — including father John, a former Manly player.

“It will shatter me if I was in his position, trying to achieve an NRL dream,” the Parramatta and NSW flyer told the court.

“It’ll crush his heart. I think it will crush Mum to pieces.”