The pitch that made Hopgood choose Eels over Cowboys

Jasper Bruce | April 20, 2023

A move to North Queensland had been on the cards for J’Maine Hopgood before a pitch from Parramatta coach Brad Arthur helped change his mind and thrust him into contention for buy of the year.

Hopgood showed promise coming through the grades at Penrith but struggled for opportunities at NRL level, making only nine appearances in two seasons between 2021 and 2022.

Co-captain Isaah Yeo blocked the 23-year-old’s path to starting at lock forward, while the likes of Spencer Leniu, Matt Eisenhuth and Scott Sorensen kept him off the bench.

Weighing his future up, Hopgood had considered a move back to his home state of Queensland with the Cowboys initially appearing a good fit.

The Eels were among other suitors keen on his signature.

“I was at the point of my career where I was sort of searching for an opportunity,” Hopgood told AAP. 

Parramatta were preparing to farewell fellow middle forwards Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone when Arthur and Hopgood met.

“He just sat down and said, ‘We’re losing players here. There are opportunities for you, mate. I can’t guarantee you anything but I know if you come here and work hard, you’ll have success'”, Hopgood said.

“Just the way that he spoke to me face-to-face gave me a really good impression.”

The conversation helped Hopgood realise there could be fewer chances to become a regular first-grader at North Queensland than at the Eels.

“(The Cowboys) were definitely something I was considering but if you look up there, they have great players in the same positions I play with (Jason) Taumalolo and (Reuben) Cotter and things,” he said.

“I just had to look at it and take my time and make my decision. Like I said, I’m pretty glad I made this one.”

Hopgood has not looked back since.

He stepped up when the Eels’ forward pack faced personnel issues to begin the season and is currently ranked third in the league for offloads – a cornerstone of Parramatta’s game in attack.

And Hopgood has already made an impression on the culture of Parramatta’s playing group.

“He’s just a quality guy,” five-eighth Dylan Brown told AAP.

“It usually shows, someone that works hard on the field and does those things on the field for the boys, they’re usually the same off the field.

“He’s a good guy to have around the club. I’m glad that we’ve got him.”

Along with Penrith second-rower Zac Hosking and Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Hopgood appears an early contender for buy of the season but is keeping himself grounded.

“As much as people are quick to build you up, if you put a couple of bad games together, they’re just as quick to tear you back down,” he said.

“I’m just trying to keep going out there every week and give it my best.”