Will Hopoate

Player #	768
Nickname	Hoppa
Position	Fullback, Centre
Height	186cm
Weight	97kg
DOB	9th May 1992
Origin	Manly, NSW
Junior Club	Manly Cove
Debut	2016: Round 1 vs Manly
Other Clubs	Manly, Parramatta
Rep	NSW(5), Tonga(11)

Will Hopoate joined the Bulldogs from Parramatta in 2016.

Will made his first grade debut for the Bulldogs against Manly at Brookvale Oval in 2016.

Will experienced a slow start to the 2017 season after fracturing his eye socket during an early defeat to the Roosters, however returned to show some of his best form at fullback. 

With Dean Pay taking over as coach in 2018, Will returned to his more favoured position at centre and has been one of the Bulldog's most consistent performers. Also represented Tonga with distinction during World Cup.

Will played 14 games at centre in 2018 before shifting to fullback and starring over the second half of the 2018 season. He scored three tries in the number four jersey and with the arrival of Nick Meaney in 2019, a shift to the centres for the Tongan international will help the balance of the side. Will finished 2018 with 84 tackle breaks, 42 offloads, 7 try assists, 6 line-breaks, 5 tries and an average of 161.2m per game. 

One of the more experienced players on the roster, Will is reliable, safe and consistent.

Will was outstanding in all facets of his game in 2019. He played in 24 matches and ran for a superb 154.6 metres per game, in addition to a tackle efficiency rate of 84.2%. He played in both the fullback and centre positions and his class and consistency led to him being named the Bulldogs Player of the Year. 

In addition, Will was named at centre in the RLPA Players' 13 Dream Team at their end of season Awards Night. Represented Tonga on three occasions in 2019.

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FIRST GRADE STATS