Veteran Parramatta hooker Josh Hodgson has conceded his form is nowhere near where he wants it to be, but insists the backing of coach Brad Arthur has convinced him he can play a crucial role in the Eels’ finals quest.
Having had to split time with rookie No.9 Brendan Hands this year, Hodgson has assured Parramatta fans he has improvement in him on the comeback from an ACL tear.
The 33-year-old was considered, to many, the most influential signing for the Eels after the loss of Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs, but has had a slow start to life in Sydney.
“I’ve not been where I want to be,” Hodgson said.
“I’m my own biggest critic so I’m always really hard on myself. I take things personally. It feels a helluva lot easier out there when you’re completing and everyone is doing their job, then you can just enjoy your footy.
“I’m the first one to pick my own faults and put my hand up when I haven’t been good.”
Josh Hodgson is still finding his feet at the Eels.Credit: Getty
Hodgson started the year as an 80-minute hooker, but has had a reduced role with the emergence of Hands, who has signed a contract extension with the Eels until the end of 2025.
Hands started Parramatta’s comfortable win over the Bulldogs last month when Hodgson was sidelined with illness, but Arthur declared Hodgson was his run-on hooker despite claims for Hands to be given more game time.
“It obviously meant a helluva lot,” Hodgson said.
“Brad has been very good with me and he always talks to me. He’s blunt and if there’s something you’re not doing right he’ll tell you straight away, and if there’s something he likes he will give it straight too. That’s all you want as a player. You just want to know where you stand.
Josh Hodgson in action for the Eels.Credit: Getty
“I’m my own biggest critic and there’s been a couple of conversations with Brad where I haven’t quite been good enough. I’m the first one to pick my own faults and put my hand up when I haven’t been good.
“All the best coaches I’ve been under always give you belief and have faith in you. They stand behind you, and when your back is to the wall they’ve got your back. He has certainly done that for his players and he’s certainly done that for me since coming here.”
The Eels could even finish Magic Round inside the top eight if they can beat the Titans on Sunday night and other results go their way, a far cry from being winless through the opening three rounds.
They will have to do without representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard for an extended period after his groin problem from a Payne Haas hip-drop tackle, but players’ union director Hodgson pleaded with the NRL to use “common sense” when determining foul play.
“We’re in a contact sport and the game is probably as quick as it’s ever been, and we’re going to get them [hip drop tackles],” he said.
“We don’t want to sit down the best players in the game over and over and over for accidents. We’ve got to be sensible. It’s horrible to see anyone leave the field with an injury from a hip drop, but we’ve got to use common sense too.”
