Premiership-winning outside back Will Hopoate will return to the Northern Beaches for the first time since his exit after Manly's Grand Final win in 2011.
Hopoate burst onto the scene in the outside backs for Manly and immediately impressed, earning a starting spot in a stacked Manly back line filled with club legends.
He will return to the club in a new role, with News Corp revealing he has signed on as the club's Wellbeing, Careers and Education Manager.
Will is the older brother of current Manly winger Lehi, who casts a freakish resemblance to his big brother when he streaks down the wing in front of the Brookvale faithful.
Children of iconic 90s winger John Hopoate, plenty of his family have progressed through the Northern Beaches pathways to reach NRL stardom.
It includes Will, Lehi, former Raiders and Manly winger Albert, and Jamil, who played for Blacktown.
Following the Sea Eagles' title victory in 2011, which was a breakout year for Hopoate, making his NSW Blues debut as a teenager.
Following the Grand Final in 2011, he left on a two-year Mormon mission before returning to the NRL with Parramatta and Canterbury.
He has returned to where the Hopoate is a household name as he looks to make an impact on the club's future stars off the field.
“It's a special opportunity to come back to Manly, the club which gave me my first opportunity,” Will said to News Corp.
“I'm looking forward to working with the players and staff and hopefully playing a small part in the continued success of this great club.
“I know how important the support around players can be throughout their careers, and I'm excited to be able to use my experiences to help the next generation of Sea Eagles on and off the field.”
Manly's current Wellbeing and Player Operations Manager, John Bonasera, will move into a Head of Football and Operations role at the club following Hopoate entering the staff.
Hopoate spent the last three years in a similar role at the Sydney Roosters.
