Hopgood says no animosity over season ending hip drop

Parramatta Eels forward J’maine Hopgood has delivered a measured response to the tackle that may have ended his season, declaring “they’re illegal for a reason”, though he holds no animosity after suffering a suspected ACL injury.

Hopgood was left shattered after going down at CommBank Stadium following a tackle that turned into an  'hip-drop' situation.

Hopgood revealed he felt a “pop” in his knee before being helped from the field.

“It’s shattering, mate. I’ve never had one [ACL injury] before, but [I’m told] you go through a rollercoaster of emotions,” Hopgood told the SMH.

“I’ll get it scanned on Monday and figure it all out. I felt a pop, then you’re in a heap of pain.

“It doesn’t feel too bad now, but it’s getting a bit sore.”

If scans do reveal an ACL rupture, Hopgood will be sidelined for the rest of the season and require surgery. Jack De Belin, who was dropped ahead of the Round 3 clash is the likely replacement.

The incident, which saw Ryan Couchman sin-binned, has again put the spotlight on dangerous tackle techniques the NRL has attempted to stamp out.

While Hopgood made it clear he holds no personal animosity, his assessment of the situation was blunt.

“He came up to me after the game. I know he didn’t mean it, but they did make the tackle illegal for a reason,” he said.

“There are no hard feelings there. I just have to look forward now.”

Couchman suffered a season ending ACL injury of his own in Round 1 of the 2025 season.

Speaking post match, Eels coach Jason Ryles suggested fatigue continues to play a role in how these incidents occur.

“It’s not intentional," he said.

"But unfortunately you keep throwing fatigue into the game and you keep making them (more tired),” Ryles said.

“They happen. So that’s reality. You just have to practise and mitigate it as much as you can and hope that it doesn’t happen. It’s really disappointing (for Hopgood).”

St George Illawarra skipper Clint Gutherson said he was disappointed for his former team mate in Hopgood.

"He’s such a great player," he said.

"He’s still only young, and while injuries are a part of the game, when it happens to your friends, it makes it extra disappointing.

“I’m sure [his teammates] will get around him. It’s one of those awkward tackles. He swung around the back. Hopefully we don’t get punished for it.

“It was just an ugly tackle - injuries are the ugly side of rugby league."

Gutherson suffered a finger injury himself with images of what appeared to be a dislocation quicly circulating online.

“It’s all good now; it just got bent the wrong way, and I didn’t even notice it until I went to catch the ball,” he said.

“I felt like I was missing a finger. I looked down, and it was facing the other way. ‘Lawso’ [head trainer Dan Lawson] grabbed it and snapped it back in.

The NRL match review committee will reveal its charge sheet later today.

Hero image: source - NRL on Nine highlights