From Hull to the NRL: the remarkable rise of Josh Hodgson

Post by **greeneyed** » April 8, 2016, 1:33 pm

From Hull to the NRL: the remarkable rise of Josh Hodgson

There’s a memorable scene in Good Will Hunting when Chuckie (Ben Affleck) gives best mate Will (Matt Damon) some home truths about squandering his talents: “Look, you’re my best friend, so don’t take this the wrong way but, in 20 years if you’re still livin’ here, comin’ over to my house, watchin’ the Patriots games, workin’ construction, I’ll **** kill ya.”

Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson wouldn’t admit to being any sort of maths genius and/or intellectual savant, but had he not been a professional footballer there’s every chance he’d have been labouring, mixing plaster, slapping it about.

But when he runs out onto Canberra’s hallowed turf he’s representing five brothers, his cab-driving dad, Dave, and foster home-working mum, Nicci, who sets her alarm at all hours to catch her son’s games.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/a ... sh-hodgson

CJ42 · Post by **CJ42** » April 8, 2016, 1:35 pm

The Hodgson hype is real. And im loving it.
Awesome story. It may have taken a bit of luck to get him here (missing out on Ennis, although we were linked to him before the Ennis talk weren't we?) but he will just about go down as one of our best signings ever. What an absolutely humble and amazing bloke! Can play footy too!

Toviii · Post by **Toviii** » April 8, 2016, 1:37 pm

The hype is amazing. Hope we win on Saturday. Need the consistency to match the hype for once.

Post by **greeneyed** » April 8, 2016, 1:39 pm

What a great story.

simo · Post by **simo** » April 8, 2016, 1:42 pm

Is there a way in which i can get him to my current location? I have intentions of a boofing nature

Shadow Boxer · Post by **Shadow Boxer** » April 8, 2016, 1:46 pm

haha, that's a cracking article..

Post by **greeneyed** » April 8, 2016, 1:57 pm

It's a must read, very well written.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » April 8, 2016, 2:21 pm

Great article. The guy is a legend. Wouldn't swap one of him for 100 dugans, Carey's or Fergusons.

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pickles · Post by **pickles** » April 8, 2016, 2:27 pm

The more I see of him the more I love him. One thing the raiders seem to have lacked is leaders with the work ethic and quality that they set a standard. Tongue had the same work ethic but never had the talent to go with it.

Hodgson is the real deal and is a player you can be proud of as a fan both on and off the field.

green_queenslander · Post by **green_queenslander** » April 8, 2016, 2:35 pm

I have so many man-crushes in this team!... so back off ha

zim · Post by **zim** » April 8, 2016, 2:36 pm

Great read

Pete Cash · Post by **Pete Cash** » April 8, 2016, 2:38 pm

Great article.

I liked the part where it's pretty clear he's keen on building his life in the long-term in Canberra. The guys a class act and we are lucky to have him.

Bay 67 · Post by **Bay 67** » April 8, 2016, 2:39 pm

We struck gold with Josh Hodgson. A 'Welcome Nugget' kind of find.

Thombre · Post by **Thombre** » April 8, 2016, 2:46 pm

How far we've come from players who had to paint for a day for a measly 40 bucks an hr

simo · Post by **simo** » April 8, 2016, 2:46 pm

The best part is he plays in the most important position. This guy is absolute quality on and off the park

magoo · Post by **magoo** » April 8, 2016, 2:56 pm

Hodgon's and Austin's humbleness will benefit our club greatly for the next 10 years.
The example they show to the young guy's coming through will be immense.
On and off the paddock you have to love these 2.

Green eyed Mick · Post by **Green eyed Mick** » April 8, 2016, 3:02 pm

IMO you won't find a city more quintessentially rugby league than Hull. We are lucky to have him and I hope he finishes his career here. He also looks to have all the hallmarks of a great coach. Good footy brain, leadership, perseverance, confidence and a work ethic to match anyone in the game.

The Nickman · Post by **The Nickman** » April 8, 2016, 4:16 pm

Isn't it amazing how the media is starting to pay attention to the Raiders in a positive light since we've gotten our **** together, stopped being an off-field rabble and started hiring some decent players and playing good footy??

And here I was all along thinking we were largely being ignored because the NRL just don't like us. Go figure.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » April 8, 2016, 4:24 pm

I am most shocked that we actually get the players we want now. Ricky had a rough start in this area but has more than made up for it.

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Sid · Post by **Sid** » April 8, 2016, 4:27 pm

Yep.. All it took was for Hodgson to be winning the Dally M for the general rugby league fan to know his name!

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The Nickman · Post by **The Nickman** » April 8, 2016, 4:30 pm

Sid wrote:Yep.. All it took was for Hodgson to be winning the Dally M for the general rugby league fan to know his name!

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And what's Austin and Sezer's excuse??

woppadingo · Post by **woppadingo** » April 8, 2016, 4:34 pm

hasn't got us any more FTA games though has it.

Aero · Post by **Aero** » April 8, 2016, 4:38 pm

Bloody fantastic article

The Nickman · Post by **The Nickman** » April 8, 2016, 4:41 pm

woppadingo wrote:hasn't got us any more FTA games though has it.

Hahaha send your complaints to the Melbourne Storm and see how much sympathy you get.

Sid · Post by **Sid** » April 8, 2016, 5:02 pm

The Nickman wrote:
Sid wrote:Yep.. All it took was for Hodgson to be winning the Dally M for the general rugby league fan to know his name!

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And what's Austin and Sezer's excuse??

It is pretty awesome that they're being talked about in the same breath as Hodkinson now. Raiders haven't had a half talked up for a blues spot since Josh McCrone!

Green_Hammock · Post by **Green_Hammock** » April 8, 2016, 5:11 pm

This is great for English rugby league that he's doing so well here. Even better if he wins the Dally M!

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-PJ- · Post by **-PJ-** » April 8, 2016, 5:52 pm

Hodgo is arguably the most valuable player in the NRL.

I'd like to say he's a superstar and in our eyes he is but he's definitely the most valuable player the the comp.

And he plays for our club.......

Green_Hammock · Post by **Green_Hammock** » April 8, 2016, 6:17 pm

-PJ- wrote:Hodgo is arguably the most valuable player in the NRL.

I'd like to say he's a superstar and in our eyes he is but he's definitely the most valuable player the the comp.

And he plays for our club.......

It's hard to believe that the Dally M leader is playing for the Raiders!

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IBG · Post by **IBG** » April 8, 2016, 6:31 pm

What a story. Love the bloke like no man should love another (not that there's anything wrong with that).

-PJ- · Post by **-PJ-** » April 8, 2016, 6:35 pm

IBG wrote:What a story. Love the bloke like no man should love another (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Yep, there is no shame. The wife even understands...

1992 · Post by **1992** » April 8, 2016, 6:38 pm

Imagine his girl reading the GH.

HAHAHA

Dr Zaius · Post by **Dr Zaius** » April 8, 2016, 7:21 pm

What I take from that article is that the salary cap investigator will be asking questions about how those groceries were paid for.

Raiders Lim! · Post by **Raiders Lim!** » April 13, 2016, 7:33 am

Green_Hammock wrote:
-PJ- wrote:Hodgo is arguably the most valuable player in the NRL.

I'd like to say he's a superstar and in our eyes he is but he's definitely the most valuable player the the comp.

And he plays for our club.......
It's hard to believe that the Dally M leader is playing for the Raiders!

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Remember when Campo came close in "that" year... And this is even better!

Post by **Matt** » April 13, 2016, 10:11 am

Really good article.

He’s applied for permanent residency. He’s applied to be married. He may never leave. YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“We’d been told, everyone that we’d mentioned it to said why are you going to Canberra. I was thinking it can’t be very nice. And then we got here and it’s very nice and we were saying what was everybody talking about. Rubbish! We love it. Only thing it hasn’t got is a beach. But I’m too scared of sharks anyway!”

Its all good Hodgo, we have bike paths instead

Raider Bell · Post by **Raider Bell** » April 13, 2016, 1:03 pm

I'll catch him a **** shark and dump it in Burley Griffin if that's what he wants.

I'll do anything, Hodgo. Anything.