Hopoate
suspended for 17 weeks, Sea Eagles say goodbye

Manly Sea Eagles NRL club have sacked winger John Hopoate after he was suspended for 17 matches by NRL judiciary panel for his forearm king-hit to the head of Sharks forward Keith Galloway.

Earlier in the day, Hopoate had entered a guilty plea to striking charge but still had to face the judiciary to receive his penalty.

It is the third lengthy suspension of his career ? amongst others ? which included an eight week ban last year for abusing an official.

Hopoate's most notorious suspension, 12 weeks, was while playing for Wests Tigers after he inserted his finger into the anal passages of several North Queensland Cowboys players during a match.

The Sea Eagles terminated Hopoate's contract immediately after the sentence was handed down.