Parramatta Eels sign Josh Hodgson and Bailey Simonsson
Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce that representative hooker Josh Hodgson and versatile outside back Bailey Simonsson will join the Club.
Hodgson has agreed to join the Eels from the start of the 2023 NRL season on a two year deal. With over 270 NRL and Super League games under his belt, Hodgson will bring enormous experience at dummy half and add significant talent to the Eels spine from 2023.
Josh co-captained the Canberra Raiders in the 2019 Grand Final, and has played at the highest level in rugby league representing England at the Four Nations and 2017 World Cup.
Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said, “We are thrilled to have Josh join our Club from 2023 as he brings strong leadership and a wealth of experience in such a key position.
“Josh has played for his country and has an incredible knowledge of the game which will add value to not only the NRL squad but our emerging juniors within our elite pathways. I have no doubt that he will have a big impact at our Club both on and off the field.
Bailey Simonsson, a former All Blacks rugby sevens player, has signed with the Club for three years until the end of the 2024 season and will join the Eels squad for pre-season training immediately.
“We are very excited to add Bailey to our playing roster, he has enormous talent and will bring depth to our backline,” added O’Neill.
Simonsson has played over 40 NRL games including a grand final appearance for the Raiders in 2019.
Replies
They are saying 2023 of course now, but i believe 2022 is more probable than people think, after new years i think there is a good chance we will see Hodgson in Eels colours.
i would say around 50-60% chance of it happening, not completely sold but think it is very possible. Now Hodgson is moving, Canberra will snap Starling up to a long term deal though he may want a starting spot in 2022, will Canberra want to pay 800K to a bench player or risk losing Starling? Canberra may cut their losses and move on from Hodgson pitching in roughly half and bring in another back-up and go forward with Starling.
The idea of using some of stickyricky's capfull of funbucks is v.pleasing to me.
I'd be happy with Mahoney going as soon as possible. I can't see him giving 100% when he wants to play for the Bulldogs. I don't rate Mahoney that much anyway. I'd have Mitch Rein over Mahoney.
Canberra though have Starling, that is who they are moving towards, why bring in Mahoney for a year when you have Starling who is your long term option, why perhaps piss him off. If anything Rein would make more sense as Canberra would be left with one hooker and Rein would be a good back-up. But who cares i think Canberra will release him without anything other than pitching in a little bit.
That would help Raiders more than us imo
So sick of people whigning about our recruitment.
Whilst BA has not won a premiership, the fact is he gets the best out of the players he signs. Hodgson is a good signing and will be a great leader for is. Dont forget smith played into his late 30's....
Also, players tend to decline under pricky. I think hodgson will be a beast for us
Yes Smith played into his late 30's but how many serious injuries has he had and how many has Hodgson had?
Pretty sure Smith never suffered any major injuries.
Smith is a once in a generation player who has won multiple premierships, he was the hooker in a SOO record winning run and has been the hooker and captain in a dominent Australian squad.
Comparing Smith and Hodgson is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Commodore.
People have as much right to air thier grievances over the clubs recruitment just as much as you do to praise it.
Mate i never compared him to smith. I simply pointed out smith played as a hooker, until his late 30's. Why cant hodgson achieve this? He might not be as good as smith, but still very affective imo
Why couldn't Michael Ennis, Danny Buderis, Benny Elias, Steve Walters or Royce Simmons achieve this?
Pretty sure most those players played into their mid 30's and played a lot of good footy after 30.
ok I just googled it. The youngest to retire were Back door Benny and Simmons at around 31. But back then hardly anyone played after that age and sports science and recovery has come a long way. I'd argue Ennis best footy was in his last few years post 30 but he had a cushy media career waiting.
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