The 18-year-old Sea Eagle's clean-cut ways are proof Hopoate snr has tried to ensure his nine children don't repeat his mistakes.

The elder Hopoate's NRL career ended in 2005 with a 17-week suspension for a vicious hit on Keith Galloway. It sealed Hopoate's footballing infamy - his rap sheet included being outed for 12 weeks in 2001 for drilling his finger into the backsides of some North Queensland opponents to put them off their game.

NRL commissioner Jim Hall branded the episodes the most "despicable" he had encountered in 45 years of following the game.

Hopoate does not care how he is judged by strangers, but in a moment of fatherly protection he placed his powerful right hand on his son's shoulder and proclaimed: "He's not like me, which is good!"

Quietly spoken William, who has six clubs chasing him, admitted growing up as John Hopoate's eldest son had its moments. However, he insisted the regrettable headlines did not define his father. He painted the portrait of a stern but loving man who, when he lost his career, risked his well-being to provide for his dependents. "He's awesome," William said. "Dad was at home helping with the house chores, helping us however he could.

"Dad always said be humble off the field, and not to be soft on it. His main messages are to be humble, to be level-headed and to not think you're better than others."

He added that his father, who became a prizefighter when his income from football disappeared but the bills continued to roll in, taught him nothing was impossible.

"The night Dad became the Australian heavyweight boxing champion was a happy and proud moment for me and my family," he said. "Dad put his body on the line to provide for us.

"Watching him and seeing him achieve all he did as a boxer made me believe anything is possible.''

John Hopoate conceded he had also set his children an example of which he was not proud. ''I tell them if they want to pay fines and get suspended, they're wasting their time," he said. "I wasted a career doing that, I don't want them to follow my path … I took some dumb steps.

"William is … a better player, he's better skilled. I had a lot of will, but no skills. And he's level-headed. Nothing fazes Will."

Perhaps William Hopoate developed a strong immunity to pressure from an early age. "I was fortunate - I had good support at school and from my family," he said of the memory of screaming headlines and television crews camped outside the family home. "It was a bit of a tough time, but my family and friends made it easier to deal with.

"Dad always said he was the 'crash test dummy' and did the things he tells me not to do, and that guidance has helped."

John Hopoate is proud of what he sees as his son's depth and thoughtful nature, pointing out that William is considering offering his services as a Mormon missionary at a time when NRL clubs are offering him big money to join them.

"He might play first grade but he does his chores at home," he said. "I never wanted my kids to be considered arrogant. I taught them from a young age when they meet people less fortunate than them, they be equal. I don't like the idea my kids could say to someone less fortunate that they have an Xbox or this and that … they're told to talk as if they don't have it because no one likes to know what they don't have."

Tyran Smith, William Hopoate's manager and a former teammate of his father, said the youngster offered more than playing talent. "Some of the things he's done considering the amount of football he's played at the top level is phenomenal," Smith said. "I think the fact he's so polite and humble appeals to the chief executives because they're things a club can build its culture around."

William, who grew up admiring Greg Inglis, was revelling in the challenge of playing for Manly at wing, fullback and centre at such a young age. ''I'm enjoying my time in the NRL. It's fun playing against the superstars in the game,'' he said. ''It's unreal and exciting. I want to play at the top level. Every kid wants to play State of Origin and for Australia, and hopefully I can get into those teams one day."

He also had another reason to succeed. "I want to be a good example for my younger brothers." John Hopoate said while his eldest boy was free to make his own decisions, he only asked that the sins of the father were not repeated by his son.