Josh Hodgson has long been regarded as one of the NRL’s craftiest No.9s and at his scheming best, he’s being tipped as the difference between a grand final appearance and long-awaited Parramatta premiership.
Provided his teammates can understand him.
Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard says Hodgson has “fitted in perfectly” ahead of his Eels debut in Thursday night’s season-opener against Melbourne, just the English veteran’s second game in two years due to a round 1 ACL rupture last year.
“The only downside about him so far is the accent,” Campbell-Gillard says of Hodgson’s thick, Yorkshire brogue.
“Deadset, I can’t understand a single word he says. It’s so thick, I don’t think anyone actually understands him.
“Once he slows it down, and we’re talking slow-mo, you can get the gist of what he’s talking about. Mostly. It’ll be fun trying to work that out on the run in a game though.”
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.243%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_221%2C$y_72/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/f2cb847cba9457b930c2019a28c75bf9f18dae93 2x" alt="Lost in translation: Josh Hodgson and a captive audience in Bryce Cartwright." width="584" height="390" />Lost in translation: Josh Hodgson and a captive audience in Bryce Cartwright.CREDIT:NRL IMAGERY/GREGG PORTEOUS
Hodgson duly protests that Campbell-Gillard is a lost cause.
“I’ve already toned it down for him and he still doesn’t have a clue,” the former Raiders captain says.
“I don’t think there’s any more I can do for him. And it’s good if I’ve got to serve him up with something he might punch me in the head for, if he doesn’t understand me, then I’m safe.”
For all the focus on Parramatta’s edge stocks following the exits of Isaiah Papalii (Tigers) and Marata Niukore (Warriors), the dummy-half vacancy left by Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs) is the most influential.
The Eels have thrown the most offloads in the NRL for years now, but Mahoney’s improved marshalling of ball-playing big men like Junior Paulo, Ryan Matterson and Shaun Lane was a key facet in their 2022 grand final run.
“Taking nothing away from Reed, he’s a fantastic bloke and a fantastic hooker, and that made it a massive role that we had to fill,” Campbell-Gillard says.
“But Hodgo’s fit in seamlessly and you can see the combo coming together with the 6, 7 and 1. He’s very, very smart and obviously very experienced.
“And for us, we know how to get to the GF obviously.That next step, it’s probably just being a little bit smarter in terms of some games throughout the year, making sure we cement those and give ourselves a proper shot come finals time.”
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.404%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_626%2C$y_181/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/28339e791df2290ea9de2b5b16d6cd9592d13ab2 2x" alt="Josh Hodgson with room to move during Parramatta’s pre-season." width="584" height="390" />Josh Hodgson with room to move during Parramatta’s pre-season.CREDIT:NRL IMAGERY/GREGG PORTEOUS
Now 33, Hodgson is returning from his third serious knee injury in his 15th year of top-flight rugby league on both sides of the globe.
His combination with both Parramatta’s ball-playing forwards, and star halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, will take time. And as far as he’s concerned, a light touch.
“To be honest, I’ll let the other boys take charge, there’s so much skill in this team, less is more for me this year,” he says.
“I just want to keep things going smoothly. Mitch is a really aggressive, demanding No.7 when he wants the ball and that’s great as a hooker.
“I’m looking up, counting numbers and markers, I can’t be wondering what’s going on behind me.
“So the way Mitch takes it on, I’m sure that’ll help my game along and Dylan’s a really strong runner of the ball so I think that’s similar to playing with Jack Wighton, good early ball and let him loose.”
Replies
Hodgson of course has fitted in, he is a goof ball like Gutho, RCG, Brown, Lane etc. All those boys get along. RCG didn't get along with Penrith as they thought he was weird, Parramatta boys are a weird bunch and Hodgson seems out there and weird, perfect marraige.
Would i have like Mahoney to stay? Of course, though more so for longetivity, however in the short term Hodgson i have alway protested is an astute signing due to leadership and a voice in the forwards. His knowledge and experience trumps Mahoney. If he can stay fit, and it is a fairly big if, Hodgson could steady us to top 4 easily. All he needs to do is let Mitchell dictate and he can chime in once in a while
Exactly what we saw him do against the knights. He didn't over play his hand just counted numbers and went the right way. I've never seen our attack look more seamless in a trial. Cmon stay healthy man!
He would have a massive point to prove. Everyone stating he is too old, his legs are done, he is finished. He wants to finish strong, on his own terms and with a premiership. He knows 2024 will be it, unless he gets through 2023 & 2024 pretty well and we want him to stay for one more year to bring Matt Arthur along. But it seems he has swallowed his pride and is willing to be a role player instead of the player like he wanted to be at Canberra.
Haha bring MA along.
Have you conceded it's a lock?
It's gonna happen, i said it from when we signed Hodgson that he is a bridge to MA, but at least you have someone to guide him in.
MA from reports has been good for SG Ball so let's see. But i believe in 2024 we will see Matt Arthur have a developement deal.
He at least knows when to run. Four tries in four SG Ball games this year.
J.A and M.A. I say it's all B.S.
I mean what if Matt Arthur actually works out? We will have a quality hooker reletively cheap to start meaning we have a quarter of our spine cheap.
MA at 14 for some of 2024 and hopefully 2025 if Hodgson or another stop gap hooker can come in. Or maybe Matt Arthur will be ready by 2025.
BA - JA - MA bring on the dynasty..........is there more ?
Jesse Arthars
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