Hodgson makes a difference
JOSH Hodgson’s long-awaited return has ignited Canberra’s NRL season, inspiring them to a 48-12 NRL thrashing of the Wests Tigers.
After a series of embarrassing fade outs in the first half of the season, the Raiders recorded their biggest win of 2018 as they ran in nine tries.
English hooker Hodgson proved the catalyst, with the green machine suddenly looking a vastly improved outfit when he ran on to Campbelltown Stadium midway through the first half. In a 46minute effort, Hodgson set up three tries and proved the glue that his side has been missing all season while he recuperated from a knee reconstruction.
Even after the bunker dubiously denied tries to Jack Wighton and Shannon Boyd, the Raiders scored eight unanswered tries from the 15th minute onwards.
Heading into the rep round, the Raiders are just four points behind the Broncos in eighth.
The Tigers led 12-4 and it looked like things were going to get worse for the Raiders when Blake Austin was sinbinned in the 23rd minute. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart then put Hodgson in the game.