JOHN Hopoate is fast approaching enough children to form his own football team with the news this week that his wife Brenda is pregnant with child number nine.

And according to the big man that will mean the Hoppa clan will have to be extended one more time.

“I am wary of odd numbers once baby number nine arrives we will plan for number 10 to even up the family,” Hopoate said.

Meanwhile, eldest son William is going great guns in the Sea Eagles’ fulltime squad and will be given an opportunity in the upcoming trials against Cronulla and the Warriors in Auckland.

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MATT Orford remains one of the most modest footballers I have met.

I spoke to Orford only an hour after he played his first game for Bradford Bulls against Hull Kingston Rovers last Sunday morning and he said he went okay in his debut game.

He was more interested in telling me how freezing it was playing in the game at Hull.

“Mate, before kick-off I was shaking with the cold in the dressing room and having thoughts of the sunshine on the northern beaches,” Orford said.

A check of the Yorkshire newspapers later in the day showed Orford was the star of the Bulls’ 18-16 win, having a hand in all three of his team’s tries.

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THERE will be some significant milestones for Sea Eagles players in the upcoming premiership with Brett Stewart heading the way with just two tries needed to give him 100.

His 98 tries in 117 games is simply remarkable.

Brother Glenn needs just six more games to make 100 in first grade while Steve Matai needs 11 more for his century.

Prop Josh Perry is fast approaching his 200th first grade appearance in the NRL and needs to play just 11 games for his double century.

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DSM5 said the following on Fri Feb 5 19:47 2010

Bloody hell.

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