John Hopoate’s legal representative is considering having the former rugby league bad boy’s battle with the NRL taken to the NSW Supreme Court.

Hopoate stood down as Manly’s SG Ball coach on Monday, opting to avoid seeing the Sea Eagles risk a $30,000 fine and the loss of possible NRL competition points by keeping him in the position.

However his barrister, Julieanne Levick, says the battle may not be over yet.

“It may well be the case that this becomes a matter for a Supreme Court judge to make a ruling on the real issue of jurisdiction,” Levick told Fairfax Media.

The former Australian winger also questioned why the NRL received advice from the organised crime commission which determined him unfit for the position.

“I’ve got no links with organised crime. So what if I know guys who’ve been in jail?” he said.

“One of my best mates is in jail now; Craig Field. My son [Jamil] was in jail. I’ve got cousins in jail, family in jail.

“(But) just because I know a few people in jail doesn’t mean I’ve got links.”

Hopoate, who was suspended for a record 45 weeks across his 13-year NRL career, will continue to coach younger son Lehi’s under-12 Beacon Hill team.