Hopoate

Interested in what the forumites think about Hopoate, i thought there was a thread already but cannot locate it.

Given that being a mormon is at it's most popular in the USA (over 6 million) and the NFL plays about 12 of it's 16 games each week on a sunday with active squads of about 54 each, yet we do not hear a peep about it over there from any players at all.

I also am amazed that Hoppa is pursuing the Eels for the reported 1.8+ million, taking into account the absolute motza he already has and will earn, he wants to take money from the Eels ?  This doesnt reflect on being a charitable/forgiving religious type either.

I know what many will say, and thats fine, that he is entitled to it so he is ok to pursue the Eels etc. I am just surprised he is so dedicated to religion that he left the game for two years, wont play on sundays.. all very admirable on it's own. But, oh wait up... i can get more cash and not play sundays, even if it is grand final ?

The politically correct and media is pretty much saying it is all ok, and above board. What do you guys think ?

And yes, please move this to the League forum. Apologies. Maybe give cheeky chewie the chance to move one

If he does not wish to play on Sundays because of religious reasons then that is fine. I do not have a problem with that whatsoever. I believe he should be paid accordingly (paid less per year as he will not be playing as many games). If the Bulldogs make the GF then he cannot play - simple. You cannot pick and choose when you want to play on Sundays you either play every Sunday game or none at all.

Bren wrote:If he does not wish to play on Sundays because of religious reasons then that is fine. I do not have a problem with that whatsoever. I believe he should be paid accordingly (paid less per year as he will not be playing as many games). If the Bulldogs make the GF then he cannot play - simple. You cannot pick and choose when you want to play on Sundays you either play every Sunday game or none at all.

Well said Bren

If the grand final is on a sunday or if there are sunday matches the dogs may need to win to make the 8, then he should omit himself from them also, you can't pick and choose when you want to follow your beliefs

Euan Murray who plays prop for Scotland and the Lions doesn't play Sunday matches and has missed many important games for the Scots over the years

Yes agree Bren, meant to add something about that as a main point. That if no sundays, then the contract should be less. But i guess this was negotiated at, we just didnt know about it. It may have already been calculated into his contract.

What about the implications with the schedule tho?

Does this mean that the Dog's will request non-sunday games now?
I mean, it will only affect 3/4 games a year but the finals and the GF are played on sundays .. so who ever said it is spot on.

If he isnt playing NRL on sundays, then he should be playing finals or the GF. You cant pick and choose when to follow your religion - either play them all or play none.

I think it's ok but I wish I could tell my boss that I don't want to work Mondays.

Pieman wrote:What about the implications with the schedule tho?

Does this mean that the Dog's will request non-sunday games now?
I mean, it will only affect 3/4 games a year but the finals and the GF are played on sundays .. so who ever said it is spot on.

If he isnt playing NRL on sundays, then he should be playing finals or the GF. You cant pick and choose when to follow your religion - either play them all or play none.

Agree with this. I don't care if he doesn't play SUnday's, but ut should be all or nothing in my book. Either don't play any Sunday's, or be available for all of them.

Thou shall not play NRL footy on Sundays*

*Unless your club makes the GF then its fine!

Welshy wrote:Thou shall not play NRL footy on Sundays*

*Unless your club makes the GF then its fine!

Haha, exactly.

If he doesn't play Sundays, he doesn't play in my team.
My answer is no.

Last I looked it was a team sport. Band of brothers, you pick yourself up and keep going when there is nothing left in the tank for the guy next to you, you play busted because your mates need you. Team first, individual 2nd. If I'm the coach I'd be concerned what it would do for team harmony, if I was a player I'd question if he's got my back. Where's the bible bashers from Sportal when you need them. All of the main religions have something about not working on the sabbath/prayer day, but they also have provisions if you need to work. Guess the aliens forgot to tell John Smith that bit.

I'm surprised no-ones suggested he okay for the Broncos so he only has to play Friday nights. Same with Hazam when he couldn't drink water during day matches during Ramadan.

Dip wrote:I'm surprised no-ones suggested he okay for the Broncos so he only has to play Friday nights. Same with Hazam when he couldn't drink water during day matches during Ramadan.

It is a good fit.

I feel I get ripped off by my easy going nature sometimes.....

For example: I couldn't care less if you worship "god", Buddha, or a sausage roll, but it's a BELIEF system. If I don't believe in said religion, I seem to be missing out?

I believe a few beverages at lunch being a good thing: and owning my own business, that's my own choice. Can you imagine if I worked for the police, or the ambo's though? if I was praying at the Alter of All Things Vodka 5 days a week, I'd be sent packing. What if Friday was a Holy Day for imbibers of scotch? Sorry.... can't work on the sabbath!

It's football. If you want to bring religion into it, then fine: register your deal at full market value, then take the percentage of the days you "don't work" off the contract, and give it back to your club as a recognition that they have no obligation to further YOUR beliefs.

Good on the club for acknowledging his faith. Now, let's see him repay the "faith". otherwise...Moron.... I mean... Mormon....

I reckon any religion that doesn't let you play football on a Sunday is a shit religion.

i work with a guy who take every Wednesday off to look after his kids, its not the same thing but people not working certain days but in return getting paid less is hardly a new thing employment wise, but obviously very new for footy.

as a dogs fan.

Hate it because the ultimate goal is to win a comp and he isn't gonna be there on GF day if we make


but i accept it because it was bought up pre negotiations and he is getting paid less for his service, so in theory we should be able to allocate money towards depth behind him. I also accept it because will Hopoate are parra was unhappy and barely FG standard, he clearly happier at the dogs and is playing better footy then he ever did at the eels, getting to the GF is a huge battle, if he helps us get there without costing his normal market value then bringing in say chase stanley for the GF is a sacrifice that we just have to deal with

leaguegod wrote:i work with a guy who take every Wednesday off to look after his kids, its not the same thing but people not working certain days but in return getting paid less is hardly a new thing employment wise, but obviously very new for footy.

as a dogs fan.

Hate it because the ultimate goal is to win a comp and he isn't gonna be there on GF day if we make


but i accept it because it was bought up pre negotiations and he is getting paid less for his service, so in theory we should be able to allocate money towards depth behind him. I also accept it because will Hopoate are parra was unhappy and barely FG standard, he clearly happier at the dogs and is playing better footy then he ever did at the eels, getting to the GF is a huge battle, if he helps us get there without costing his normal market value then bringing in say chase stanley for the GF is a sacrifice that we just have to deal with

What happens when Stanley has a shocker though? Actually more likely being Stanley he'll go down 3 minutes in and you'll lose a GF playing a man down.

I get 12 weeks holiday a year, due to my beliefs (of not wanting to work that much)

It's the sort of thing that is probably available to pretty much everyone here. But it comes at the cost of being paid less, and when it comes down to it, most people prefer (or need) the money.
But if someone is able to negotiate full pay for getting a few days off, then good on 'em.

For the Dogs, the most worrying aspect is the GF. Assuuming they make the 8, Do they play Hopoate in other finals series games, knowing he won't be there for the big one, or do they play with the team that they'll need to win it with?

Krump wrote:
What happens when Stanley has a shocker though? Actually more likely being Stanley he'll go down 3 minutes in and you'll lose a GF playing a man down.

there are other options (abbey, holland, phillips etc) if stanley was already injured but if fit going in, he would be the next best option if hoppa was missing

leaguegod wrote:i work with a guy who take every Wednesday off to look after his kids, its not the same thing but people not working certain days but in return getting paid less is hardly a new thing employment wise, but obviously very new for footy.

as a dogs fan.

Hate it because the ultimate goal is to win a comp and he isn't gonna be there on GF day if we make


but i accept it because it was bought up pre negotiations and he is getting paid less for his service, so in theory we should be able to allocate money towards depth behind him. I also accept it because will Hopoate are parra was unhappy and barely FG standard, he clearly happier at the dogs and is playing better footy then he ever did at the eels, getting to the GF is a huge battle, if he helps us get there without costing his normal market value then bringing in say chase stanley for the GF is a sacrifice that we just have to deal with

I cant disagree with any of this - he was open to the club about it and presumably the club were open to him in return about not getting $ at the same level. I wonder if they worked it out on a pro-rata amount, based on the amount of sunday games a club can expect to play over the term of his contract or if they just offered a flat figure less.

I an also quite curious as to how it took this long for the clause to get out. I would have thought all parties involved would have been promoting the deal as a good thing and good publicity, as opposed to it just leaking out a month into the season.