J’maine Hopgood would have laughed at anybody at the beginning of the 12 months in the event that they’d instructed him that he was within the combine for a State of Origin debut, however the Eels lock have to be on Billy Slater’s radar after a shocking efficiency in opposition to the Rabbitohs on Friday.
The 24-year-old joined the Eels with little fanfare after enjoying 10 video games for Penrith over just a few seasons the place he was caught in reserve grade behind Isaah Yeo.
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But he has developed into among the finest lock forwards within the opening three months of the season, capping off his sizzling begin with 108 metres, 4 offloads and 38 tackles in his first 80-minute recreation since Round 1.
Hopgood brazenly admits that he didn’t have the boldness to play his pure recreation on the Panthers, however his true potential has been unlocked thanks to educate Brad Arthur who has backed him each step of the best way.
His sizzling begin to the 12 months means one other coach may very well be calling him very quickly with Josh Papalii’s sudden retirement opening the door for somebody like Hopgood or Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh to come back into the aspect.
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“I haven’t spoken to Billy, and it’s not something I try to think too much about,” Hopgood mentioned moments earlier than he caught up with Queensland nice Johnathan Thurston within the Eels dressing room on Friday evening.
“The only way I think about it is how much it would mean to me if I was able to do that.
“Twelve weeks ago, if you’d have said that to me then I would have laughed at you. To be able to just say that people are saying it is an achievement in itself.
“I just want to go out and play every week for Parra and do this jersey proud first. If I ever got the chance to wear that (Queensland) jersey then that would be something different and something very special for me.
“Even just to be mentioned is a good enough thing.”
The younger man from Hervey Bay isn’t any stranger to the maroon jersey having represented his state at junior degree the place he performed alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, and in opposition to Blues celebrity Payne Haas.
It’s why he’d love one other crack now after struggling a heartbreak defeat within the under-18s in 2017, solely to be on the incorrect finish of a Matt Burton masterclass two years later.
“It’s everything, it’s the pinnacle for me and a lot of kids growing up in Queensland,” he mentioned.
“I played a lot of 18s and 20s, and was lucky enough to be in camps where I was surrounded by the first grade Maroons boys at the time. You just idolise those guys, and you could see how much it meant to them.
“We didn’t get the win in either of those grades so that’s something that still stings me to this day, so I know if I ever got to put that jersey on, I wouldn’t leave anything out there.
“If I got the opportunity then I wouldn’t say no to it. I’m a Queensland boy who grew up in Hervey Bay which is a pretty small country town.
“I don’t know, they might build them a bit different up there. That’s for you to decide.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au