Manly legend Cliff Lyons has backed Sea Eagles young gun Albert Hopoate to be a bigger success than his father, John.
Albert, 18, who suffered an ACL injury in SG Ball last year, is expected to make his first-grade debut this season.
The younger brother of Bulldogs ace Will, has already impressed in the junior ranks — scoring this epic try for Manly.
He attracted interest from rugby union and a host of NRL clubs, before he committed to following in his father’s footsteps at Brookvale.
If that wasn’t enough, the prized fullback is lifting more than some of Manly’s strongest and toughest forwards.
“He looks like he’s going to be a very good player,” Manly backrower Joel Thompson told Fox Sports’ James Hooper recently.
“He’s already bench pressing and squatting more than me in the gym.”
And with Tom Trbojevic injured for the first two rounds and Dylan Walker stood down on assault charges, Hopoate could get his chance in the Sea Eagles backline sooner rather than later.
“Albert won’t be far away this year,” Lyons told Foxsports.com.au.
“I played with John — the big daddio.
“Albert’s speed and strength is really good, and he has a great ability to read the play.
“He’s probably better than his dad.”
Lyons is pleased to see Des Hasler return to Brookvale after the club slumped to 15th last season — narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon.
The pair played alongside each other in the 80s and 90s and Lyons believes his old teammate can restore Manly to their former glory — and make the finals this year.
“I think bringing him back is a good thing,” Lyons explained.
“It’ll put a bit of buzz in the place, he’s very complex and anal in what he does but that brings the best out of you.
“He was very competitive as a player in training. And as a coach he’s an innovator and very creative.
“Hopefully we’ll be in the eight, it depends on injuries of course.”
Manly begin their 2019 NRL season away to the West Tigers next Saturday.
Top NRL rookies set to light up the competition in round one
Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles)
The 21-year-old flyer is set to benefit from the untimely injury to Tom Trbojevic, with a debut for the Sea Eagles in Round one.
Garrick played the last two seasons for the Dragons’ Intrust Super Cup side scoring 13 tries in 27 games, but was stuck behind the likes of Euan Aitken, Kurt Mann, Tim Lafai, and Zac Lomax.
Des Hasler has big raps on the centre, but with Moses Suli and Brad Parker set to get first crack in the middle, Garrick will have to bide his time on the wing for now.
Briton Nikora (Sharks)
Dylan Brown (Eels)
Corey Allan (Rabbitohs)
Adam Keighran (Warriors)
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...e/news-story/231b9dac9edd47338393f90a83d70525
