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Tom Opacic
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Thomas Opacic (/oʊpətʃɪk/) (born 7 September 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup.
Key Information
He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, and the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League.
Background
[edit]Opacic was born in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia, and is of Serbian descent.[3]
He played his junior rugby league for the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Playing career
[edit]Early career
[edit]
In 2013 and 2014, Opacic played for the Brisbane Broncos' NYC team,[4] before graduating to their Queensland Cup team, and his old junior club, Redcliffe Dolphins in 2015.[5]
2016
[edit]In Round 16 of the 2016 NRL season, Opacic made his NRL debut for the Brisbane club against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.[6][7] In September, he re-signed with Brisbane on a two-year contract until the end of 2018.[8]
2017
[edit]Opacic failed to play a first grade game in 2017, after undergoing two shoulder reconstructions in the summer to treat injuries he suffered in the 2016 finals.[9] During Opacic's recovery, Tautau Moga became one of the first choice centres for Brisbane that year, relegating him to the Queensland Cup that season.[citation needed]
2018
[edit]The signing of Jack Bird, as well as the emergence of promising outside backs, Kotoni Staggs and Jamayne Isaako, meant that Opacic spent most of 2018 playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup competition. He scored his only try for the season, coming off the bench in Brisbane's 24-20 win against their rivals, the North Queensland Cowboys, in Round 2.[10] Opacic appeared in 10 games for the Brisbane club in the 2018 season, starting in six and coming off the bench in four.[11]
On 8 August, Opacic re-signed with the Brisbane side on a two-year deal but a month later was released by the club to sign with the North Queensland Cowboys until the end of 2020.[12][13]
2019
[edit]In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL season, Opacic made his club debut for North Queensland in their 24–12 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.[14] Following a Round 2 defeat by Brisbane, Opacic was dropped to the Townsville Blackhawks.[15] Opacic returned to first grade in North Queensland's Round 8 win over the Gold Coast Titans. A week later, he scored his first try for the club in a 16–32 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[16]
After his early struggles, Opacic locked down the right centre position for the North Queensland club, playing the remaining 17 games, scoring seven tries and forming a dynamic partnership with winger Kyle Feldt.[17]
2020
[edit]In February, Opacic was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.[18] Opacic played just five NRL games in 2020, scoring two tries, struggling to hold down a starting centre position. On 3 October, the North Queensland club announced that Opacic would be departing the club at the end of the season.[19] On 21 October, it was announced that Opacic had signed a one-year deal with the Parramatta Eels.
2021
[edit]He made his debut for Parramatta in round 1 of the 2021 NRL season where the club recorded a 24-16 victory over Brisbane.[20]
In round 4, he scored two tries for Parramatta in a 36-22 victory over the Wests Tigers at Stadium Australia.[21]
2022
[edit]Opacic started the season with Parramatta's NSW Cup team and scored four tries in the clubs 34-6 opening round victory over St. George. Following an injury to Sean Russell, Opacic was called into the NRL squad for the club's round 2 match against Cronulla.[22] On 10 August, Opacic signed a two-year deal to join English side Hull Kingston Rovers starting in 2023. In round 24, Opacic scored two tries for Parramatta in a 53-6 victory over Brisbane. Opacic played in Parramatta's opening two finals matches against Penrith and Canberra but suffered a hamstring injury during the clubs win over the latter opponent. Opacic subsequently missed Parramatta's upset preliminary final victory over North Queensland and the 2022 NRL Grand Final against Penrith which Parramatta lost 28-12.[23][24][25][26]
2023
[edit]Opacic made his club debut for Hull Kingston Rovers in round 1 of the 2023 Super League season as they upset Wigan 27-18.[27] On 12 August, Opacic played for Hull Kingston Rovers in their 17-16 golden point extra-time loss to Leigh in the Challenge Cup final.[28] Opacic played 26 games for Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fourth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. He played in the clubs semi-final loss against Wigan.[29]
2024
[edit]On 19 August, Hull KR confirmed that Opacic would depart the team at the end of the season.[30] On 20 December, Opacic signed with the Redcliffe Dolphins.[31]
Achievements and accolades
[edit]Team
[edit]- 2020 NRL Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners
- 2023 Challenge Cup: Hull Kingston Rovers – Runners-Up
- 2024 Super League Grand Final: Hull Kingston Rovers – Runners-Up
Statistics
[edit]NRL
[edit]| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 16 | |
| 2018 | 10 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 19 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 28 | |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | |
| 2021 | 21 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | |
| 2022 | 19 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | |
| 2023 | 30 | 9 | 36 | ||||
| 2024 | 18 | 5 | 20 | ||||
| Career totals | 131 | 42 | 0 | — | 0 | 156 | |
References
[edit]- ^ NRL (31 May 2016). "Intrust Super Cup teams: Round 13". QRL. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ "Tom Opacic - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ Badel, Peter (2 May 2015). "Brisbane Broncos rookie Tom Opacic wanted by Serbia for 2017 Rugby League World Cup bid". The Courier Mail. Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ "O". Nyc Database. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ NRL (3 March 2015). "Intrust Super Cup Rd 1 teams". QRL. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ "Updated team lists: Bulldogs v Broncos". NRL.com. 28 February 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ NRL. "Late Mail - Broncos v Bulldogs". Broncos. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ Broncos.com.au (26 August 2016). "Broncos re-sign NRL rookies". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Brisbane gun to miss 2017 NRL season start".
- ^ "NRL highlights, result: Broncos vs Cowboys". 16 March 2018.
- ^ "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project".
- ^ "Why Broncos agreed to release Opacic to Cowboys". September 2018.
- ^ "Four more signings for Cowboys". 11 October 2018.
- ^ "NRL team list: Round 1 v Dragons". 12 March 2019.
- ^ "League player knocked out by ex-NRL hooker blames king hit on himself". 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Rabbits down the Cowboys, Roosters win to end Magic Round". ABC News. 12 May 2019.
- ^ "Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin".
- ^ "Nines final team list: Final v Dragons". 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys to farewell five departing players". NQ Cowboys. 3 October 2020.
- ^ "Brisbane Broncos' NRL losing streak continues as Parramatta Eels score comeback 24-16 win; Newcastle Knights beat Bulldogs". ABC News. 12 March 2021.
- ^ "Wests Tigers 22 Parramatta 36". ABC News. 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Solution to Eels' injury crisis emerges; Raiders young gun puts pressure on Ricky: Reserves Wrap". www.foxsports.com.au. 15 March 2022.
- ^ "Broncos' season 'on life support' after horror 113pt fortnight as Eels 'weapon' runs riot: Big hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Tom Opacic joins Hull KR from Parramatta Eels for 2023". www.skysports.com.
- ^ "We hate Parra as Panthers mock Eels as Koroisau pokes fun at Tigers". www.smh.com.au. 3 October 2022.
- ^ "NRL Grand Final as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Hull KR 27-18 Wigan: Shaun Kenny-Dowall scores first Super League hat-trick in Rovers win". BBC Sport. 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 16-17 Leigh Leopards - Leigh claim first Wembley final win in 52 years". BBC Sport. 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Relive Wigan's thumping win v Hull KR to head to Grand Final". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Tom Opacic to depart at the end of the 2024 season". hullkr.co.uk. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (20 December 2024). "Ex-NRL centre signs with Australian team". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "Tom Opacic - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project".
External links
[edit]Tom Opacic
View on GrokipediaBackground
Early life and education
Tom Opacic was born on 7 September 1994 in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia.[7] He is of Serbian descent through his family background.[8] Raised in the coastal suburb of Redcliffe, Opacic grew up in a community deeply rooted in rugby league traditions, with early exposure to the sport through local clubs and the prominence of the Redcliffe Dolphins in Queensland's rugby scene.[6] This environment fostered his initial interest in the game from a young age, shaping his foundational athletic pursuits.[9] Opacic pursued higher education alongside his developing sporting interests, enrolling in a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science at the Australian Catholic University.[10] He successfully balanced his academic commitments with early athletic training during his junior years, earning recognition for his off-field achievements in 2017 as part of the NRL Academic Team of the Year.[11]Junior career
Tom Opacic began his rugby league journey in Redcliffe, Queensland, where he was born and raised, playing his early junior football for the local Redcliffe Dolphins club. Influenced by his family's deep roots in the area, Opacic joined the Dolphins from under-16s level and progressed through their development pathway.[12][13] Opacic represented the Redcliffe Dolphins in key Queensland junior competitions, including the Cyril Connell Cup for under-16s and the Mal Meninga Cup for under-18s, which serve as premier pathways for emerging talent in the state's rugby league system. During his time in these representative-level sides, he honed his skills as a centre, contributing to team efforts in competitive matches that showcased his potential for higher levels. His performances in the Mal Meninga Cup, part of the Queensland Rugby League's structured junior program, drew attention from professional scouts.[13] Following his junior stints with the Dolphins, Opacic was recruited into the Brisbane Broncos' development program and selected for their under-20s National Youth Competition (NYC) squad in 2013 and 2014. In the NYC, he established himself as a reliable outside back, featuring regularly in the centres and delivering standout performances, such as scoring two tries in a qualifying final victory over the Sydney Roosters[14] and one try in the preliminary final against the St George Illawarra Dragons.[15] These efforts helped the Broncos reach the 2014 NYC Grand Final, where they fell short against the New Zealand Warriors, but solidified Opacic's reputation within the club. Opacic's consistent contributions in the NYC led to his inclusion in the Broncos' extended squad for pre-season tournaments, marking his debut in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines on 31 January, where he gained valuable exposure against professional opposition.[2] This progression through the Broncos' youth system ultimately paved the way for his full-time NRL contract, transitioning him from junior ranks to professional opportunities.Club career
Brisbane Broncos (2016–2018)
Opacic made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in Round 16 of the 2016 season against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, but lasted only 23 minutes before suffering a foot injury that forced him from the field.[16] Despite the inauspicious start, he returned in Round 20 and went on to play nine first-grade games for the season, scoring four tries and establishing himself as a promising centre from the club's Redcliffe Dolphins junior pathway.[17] His performances, including a standout effort in the semi-final against North Queensland where he ran for 76 metres, highlighted his potential amid the Broncos' push to the preliminary finals.[17] The 2017 season proved challenging for Opacic, as he played no first-grade matches due to two shoulder reconstructions required after injuries sustained during the 2016 finals series.[16] He focused on rehabilitation and featured in reserve-grade competitions, including for the Broncos' feeder club, to rebuild his fitness and strength following the surgeries on both shoulders.[18] This period tested his resilience, with ongoing recovery setbacks delaying his return to top-level play.[19] Opacic returned to first-grade action in Round 2 of the 2018 season and featured in 10 games, scoring one try while competing for centre positions against established players like James Roberts and Jordan Kahu.[20] His limited opportunities reflected the depth in Brisbane's backline, though he showed solid form in runs and tackles when selected, such as a 139-metre effort against the New Zealand Warriors.[21] At the end of 2018, with his contract expiring and first-grade spots scarce, Opacic sought a release from the Broncos to pursue more playing time elsewhere.[22] Coach Wayne Bennett, after candid discussions, approved the move to the North Queensland Cowboys on a two-year deal starting in 2019, believing it would best serve Opacic's career development by providing a clearer path to regular NRL minutes.[13]North Queensland Cowboys (2019–2020)
In September 2018, Opacic signed a two-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, moving from the Brisbane Broncos where he had endured an injury-plagued tenure.[13][23] He made his debut for the club in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL season, starting at right centre in a 24–12 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons.[24] Opacic solidified his role as the Cowboys' starting right centre throughout 2019, forming a dynamic partnership on the right edge with winger Kyle Feldt and second-rower Coen Hess that contributed to 18 team tries from that flank.[24] He appeared in 19 games, scoring seven tries—including a double in a Round 15 win against the Dragons—while providing solid defensive efforts with 43 tackle breaks and an average of 96 run metres per game.[2][24] The 2020 season, shortened to 17 rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limited Opacic to five appearances and two tries as he faced increased bench rotations amid competition for centre spots.[2] At the end of the year, Opacic departed the Cowboys as part of broader roster changes, seeking greater opportunities for consistent first-grade minutes.[25]Parramatta Eels (2021–2022)
Opacic joined the Parramatta Eels on a one-year contract announced on 21 October 2020, following two seasons with the North Queensland Cowboys.[26] He made his club debut in Round 1 of the 2021 NRL season against the Brisbane Broncos, scoring a try in the Eels' 10–6 victory.[27] In Round 3 against the Wests Tigers, Opacic recorded a double with tries in the 25th and 40th minutes, contributing to a 36–22 win that highlighted his try-scoring ability early in the campaign.[28] During the 2021 season, Opacic featured in 21 games for the Eels, crossing for seven tries while providing two try assists and nine line breaks overall, with notable contributions during the club's run to the preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers.[4] His defensive solidity was evident with a 90.7% tackle efficiency, helping Parramatta secure a top-four finish and a spot in the playoffs.[4] Playing primarily as left centre, Opacic formed an effective partnership with winger Maika Sivo, whose offloads and speed complemented Opacic's direct running style to create attacking opportunities on that edge.[29] Opacic re-signed with the Eels for 2022, where he appeared in 19 games and scored another seven tries, maintaining his role as a key outside back in the team's push for the title.[30] His efforts were instrumental in Parramatta's qualification for the grand final, including a try in the qualifying final victory over the Canberra Raiders.[31] However, a hamstring injury sustained late in the season ruled him out of the preliminary final win against the Cowboys and the grand final loss to the Panthers.[32] Seeking new challenges abroad after two successful seasons that established his peak NRL form, Opacic signed a two-year deal with Hull Kingston Rovers in August 2022, departing the Eels at the end of the year.[33]Hull Kingston Rovers (2023–2024)
Opacic joined Hull Kingston Rovers from the Parramatta Eels ahead of the 2023 Super League season on a two-year contract, marking his transition to English rugby league.[34] He noted the unfamiliar challenges of a colder pre-season but expressed excitement for the faster-paced Super League, which he described as offering a different style compared to the NRL.[33] In his debut 2023 season, Opacic made 30 appearances, scoring 9 tries and providing 3 assists while recording 69 tackle busts and averaging 7.66 meters per carry.[35] He delivered strong performances, including a solid defensive display in the Challenge Cup final loss to Leigh Leopards at Wembley, where he was rated highly for handling pressure in the centers.[36] Opacic also contributed to Rovers' playoff qualification, featuring in the semi-final defeat to Salford Red Devils, with his consistency earning praise from head coach Willie Peters as a key factor in the team's improved campaign.[35] Following this successful year, Opacic signed a two-year contract extension in October 2023, committing to the club until the end of 2025 and aiming for a top-two finish and a return to Wembley.[35] During the 2024 season, Opacic featured in 18 games, adding 5 tries to his tally and continuing his defensive reliability, though his starts were inconsistent amid heightened competition from new signings like Peta Hiku and Corey Hall.[37] He scored key tries in important wins, such as against Hull FC, but opportunities were limited under coach Peters' squad rotation.[5] In August 2024, Hull KR and Opacic agreed to a mutual release at the season's end, cutting short his extended contract to allow him to pursue an NRL return and address family considerations after two years abroad.[37][38] The decision also freed an overseas quota spot for incoming signing Rhyse Martin, with Opacic departing after 48 total appearances and 14 tries for the club.[39]Redcliffe Dolphins (2025–present)
Opacic signed with the Redcliffe Dolphins on 20 December 2024, following his release from Hull Kingston Rovers at the end of the 2024 Super League season, marking a return to his junior club in Queensland.[40] The move positioned him within the feeder system for the NRL's Dolphins, where he began training immediately upon arrival in Australia.[41] In the 2025 Hostplus Cup season, Opacic debuted early for Redcliffe, playing primarily as a centre but occasionally shifting to the second row, and quickly integrated into the squad as a veteran presence.[1] He featured in 19 appearances, scoring 5 tries and recording 4 try assists, while contributing 5 line breaks and 16 tackle breaks to help drive the team's attacking output.[1] His leadership was evident in key matches, including a semi-final victory over the Townsville Blackhawks on 13 September 2025, where he combined with teammates for a crucial 30-metre run leading to the winning try by centre Will Partridge.[42] Redcliffe advanced to the preliminary final against the Burleigh Bears on 20 September 2025, with Opacic starting in the second row during the narrow 18-16 loss that ended their playoff run.[43] As a seasoned professional, Opacic provided mentorship to younger players and bolstered the backline's experience amid the team's push for promotion contention.[44] Following the 2025 season, Opacic retired from professional rugby league and, as of November 2025, signed with Stanley River Wolves RLFC for the 2026 Sunshine Coast Group Rugby League A-grade season.[45]Honours and achievements
Club achievements
During his tenure with the North Queensland Cowboys, Tom Opacic contributed to the team's victory in the 2020 NRL Auckland Nines tournament, where the Cowboys defeated the St. George Illawarra Dragons 23–14 in the grand final held in Perth.[46][47] Opacic played as a centre for the Parramatta Eels during their successful 2021 and 2022 NRL finals campaigns. In 2021, he featured in the semi-final appearance against the Penrith Panthers. He contributed throughout the 2022 season but missed the preliminary final win over the North Queensland Cowboys due to a hamstring injury.[48][49][50] In 2023, while with Hull Kingston Rovers, Opacic was part of the squad that reached the Challenge Cup final, finishing as runners-up after a narrow 17–16 loss to the Leigh Leopards at Wembley Stadium.[51][35] Later that year, the team advanced to the Super League playoff semi-final, where they were defeated 42–12 by the Wigan Warriors.[52][37] Opacic joined the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2025 and helped the team secure a spot in the Hostplus Cup preliminary final, following a strong performance in the qualifying rounds, although they lost the preliminary final 18-16 to the Burleigh Bears on 20 September 2025.[42][44][53]Representative honours
Opacic's representative career at the state level was limited to a single appearance for the Queensland Residents team in 2017. Selected as a centre for the annual Interstate Challenge against New South Wales Residents, he featured in the fixture held on 7 May at Suzuki Stadium in Brisbane, contributing to a 36-6 victory for Queensland.[54][55] The Queensland Residents side serves as a key development pathway for emerging talent outside the State of Origin squad, providing emerging players with high-level exposure and a platform to showcase their skills for potential senior selection.[55] In the match, Opacic scored a try in the 60th minute, powering over from close range to extend Queensland's lead during a dominant second-half performance that turned the game in their favour.[54][56] Despite this promising outing amid an injury-affected season with the Brisbane Broncos, Opacic did not earn any senior caps for Queensland or Australia throughout his career.Individual awards
Opacic received the Brisbane Broncos' NRL Rookie of the Year award, known as the Cyril Connell Award, in 2016 for his debut season performance, where he featured in nine first-grade games and scored four tries.[17] In 2017, he was selected for the NRL Academic Team of the Year, recognizing his academic excellence in pursuing a Bachelor of Exercise Science/Bachelor of Teaching at Australian Catholic University while managing the demands of his professional rugby league career.[57][10] This accolade highlighted his ability to balance university studies with football commitments, including recovery from two shoulder reconstructions that limited his on-field play that year.[10][16] Opacic has not earned major individual on-field honors such as the Dally M Centre of the Year, though he has earned consistent recognition through selections in club extended squads across his career.[2]Career statistics
NRL statistics
Tom Opacic played 83 games in the National Rugby League (NRL) from 2016 to 2022, scoring 28 tries for a total of 112 points, with no goals or field goals recorded.[2] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his NRL appearances, tries, goals, and points:| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Brisbane Broncos | 9 | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| 2018 | Brisbane Broncos | 10 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | North Queensland Cowboys | 19 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| 2020 | North Queensland Cowboys | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 2021 | Parramatta Eels | 21 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| 2022 | Parramatta Eels | 19 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Total | 83 | 28 | 0 | 112 |
Super League statistics
Tom Opacic featured prominently for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, making a total of 47 appearances, scoring 14 tries, and accumulating 56 points from those tries. His contributions extended to both regular season matches, playoffs, and Challenge Cup games, where he demonstrated reliability in the centres position under the Super League's six-again rule and video referee protocols, adapting effectively from his NRL background.[59][60][2] In his debut 2023 season, Opacic played 30 games, including four Challenge Cup appearances and playoff matches, where he scored 9 tries and recorded 3 try assists, helping Hull KR finish fourth and reach the playoffs. His performance highlighted strong ball-carrying and defensive work, with the club praising his consistency in partnerships on the right edge. For 2024, he appeared in 17 games, including playoff fixtures up to the semi-finals, scoring 5 tries and providing 1 try assist amid a campaign that saw Hull KR top the table and reach the Grand Final. Opacic's role emphasized tackle completion and line support, contributing to the team's league-leading defense.[35][61][62]| Season | Appearances | Tries | Try Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 9 | 3 | 36 |
| 2024 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 20 |
| Total | 47 | 14 | 4 | 56 |
