Newcastle have emerged as favourites to sign NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson in a move that could pave the way for Kieran Foran to join Canterbury next season if his deal with Parramatta collapses.
Hodkinson, who is off contract at the end of the season, is understood to have met with Newcastle officials on Tuesday to discuss an approach from the Knights.
Despite leading the Blues to their last season's Origin series triumph and starring in last Wednesday night's 26-18 defeat of Queensland at the MCG, Hodkinson has so far been unable to reach agreement with the Bulldogs for a new deal.
With Cronulla last week signing Sydney Roosters playmaker James Maloney, it had been expected that Hodkinson would head to the Gold Coast as a replacement for Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans but Newcastle is now firming as his likely new home next season.
After losing veteran utility Kurt Gidley to Warrington, Blues second-rower Beau Scott to Parramatta and Samoa centre Joey Leilua to Canberra, the Knights are cashed up and a player of Hodkinson's calibre and experience would be ideal for Newcastle.
Hodkinson has been named to start at halfback in next Monday night's match against Melbourne after being rested last weekend. In his previous match for Canterbury, he was replaced 20 minutes from full-time by former NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds, with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler entrusting rookie Moses Mbye to lead the team against St George Illawarra.
While Bulldogs officials maintain that fitting Hodkinson, Reynolds and Mbye into two playmaking roles is difficult, the departure of the Blues No.7 would free up at least some space for Foran.
Hasler and Foran are close, and the New Zealand five-eighth had a clause in his contract that enabled him to leave Manly when Hasler departed after the 2011 grand final but decided to stay.
With doubts about Foran's four-year, $4.8 million contract at Parramatta, the Sea Eagles are believed to be looking at ways to retain their star five-eighth. Despite speculation that Foran was set to agree to the removal of two contentious clauses in his Eels contract, Parramatta officials were still waiting for a decision on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Josh Jackson's legal counsel is expected to argue that Canterbury teammate Greg Eastwood played a significant role in the lifting tackle on Penrith five-eighth Jamie Soward that has jeopardised the NSW forward's participation in next month's State of Origin decider.
Jackson, who will be represented by Sydney QC Nick Ghabar, is contesting a grade two dangerous throw charge in a desperate bid to be available for Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 8.
If succesful in having the charge downgraded to a grade one offence, Jackson will miss the Bulldogs match against Melbourne at Belmore Oval next Monday night but be free to play for the Blues. But Jackson will be rubbed out for three matches if he fails, with either Newcastle's Tariq Sims or St George Illawarra's Tyson Frizzell expected to take his place for the Origin decider after each having a turn as 18th man for NSW in the first two games.
With Eastwood having pleaded guilty to a grade-one dangerous throw, Ghabar is expected to argue that the involvement of the Kiwi forward in the tackle contributed to Soward's awkward landing. Asked about the 22nd minute tackle after last Saturday night's 24-12 win over the Panthers, Jackson said: "It's just one of those things mate, it happens in the game.
"Obviously there was no intent there but it happened. It's out of my hands, I can't do anything about it. I apologised after it. You don't want to miss any games, I don't want to miss a game for the Bulldogs let alone sit at home and miss an Origin game."
After being a shock inclusion at lock in Origin I, Jackson moved to the interchange bench to accommodate the return of Blues captain Paul Gallen. Gallen has been named as 18th man for Cronulla in Saturday's match against North Queensland after suffering a rib injury in Origin II.
Replies
He isn't joining Canterbury. At least not yet anyway.
Why would Bulldogs want Foran now that Mbye is finally playing good football partnering Reynolds. The only possible explanation would be Foran to 6 Mybe to 7 and Reynolds to 9. But i can't see it happening.
In regards to Foran i would rather he just come out and tell people he is or isn't staying. Otherwise this will be torture going through the next four years wondering if/when he will back out of his deal.
Letting go of hodkinson frees up enough cash for Foran eh. That will do me. SMH are fucking useless these days
They got rid of Hodko so they could keep Mbye, everyone knows that.
FFS these journos love to stir up shit
It's a key line from the article - the bit about Foran, which makes it relevant to Eels fans.
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