Teammates are backing Josh Hodgson to silence his critics when the English veteran returns to the nation’s capital for the first time to take on the Raiders.
Hodgson spent seven seasons in Canberra, helping the Green Machine reach the 2019 grand final before a couple of serious knee injuries ruined his final few years with the team.
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The 33-year-old now returns to GIO Stadium in a blue and gold jersey where he’s failed to fire in the opening 10 rounds, producing just two try assists and playing reduced minutes with Brendan Hands sharing the role.
It’s led to speculation that Hands could take over the starting role in the coming weeks, but his teammates are backing Hodgson to stand tall in what should be an emotional homecoming.
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“One thing I know about Hodgo is that he’s a competitor,” Eels winger Bailey Simonsson said.
“I can’t speak for him, but I’m sure there’s a bit of a fire lit in him to prove people wrong. He’s just got to focus on himself and what he can control because he’s a great player.
“I know Hodgo really well, and he’s a great bloke and a great player, so he’s going to be sweet, which he already is. He’s playing good footy. Talk is just talk and that’s all outside noise.
“Hodgo is such a great leader and he’s such an experienced player. He’s doing well.
“It’s not easy coming to a new club. It’s always hard getting used to different structures and the way teams play. On top of that, coming back from another knee injury definitely makes it more challenging.
“I think he’s improving every week, and we all know the player he is and what he’s capable of. He’s also been massive off the field for this team with his leadership and experience.”
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Simonsson knows what it’s like to return to Canberra after he bagged a double last season in his first visit back since joining the Eels.
It’s why he doesn’t think the occasion will faze someone like Hodgson, who has seen and done it all.
“It’ll be a bit of a different feeling for him because every other time he’s played there he would have been playing for the Raiders,” he said.
“It is really just another game – I know it’s a bit of a cliche – but even last year with my first game back down there, once the whistle goes and you start playing footy, that’s all you focus on.
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“Hodgo is a bit of a vet these days and he’s a seasoned pro, so he’ll just be worried about his performance and our side.”
Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown scored two tries in the 28-20 win over Canberra last year and will need to step it up with halfback Mitch Moses out of Saturday’s game.
Brown can tell that Hodgson isn’t happy with his performances for his new club, but the playmaker says Hodgson’s steadying influence is just what the team needs as they look to get back in the finals hunt.
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“It’s going to be massive for him,” he said.
“I’ve never been at another club so I don’t know what it’s like, but I’m sure if you go up against your old team, he’s going to want to play well. He knows that we’ve got his back and it’s not just going to be up to him.
“With Hodgo, he helps my game a lot. He talks to me the whole time and he keeps me relaxed.
“He’s not overly happy with his performances, but I think he does well and I think it’s a blessing that we have Handsy there to back him up. I actually enjoy the rotation because it’s two different types of footy.
“He’s obviously going to keep working, but it’s a slow process.”