Hodgo: ‘Coast saved career’
Move from Canberra gave forward chance to reach his potential
MICHAEL Hodgson believes his best years of footy came on the Gold Coast.
After all, he only arrived at the Titans after fighting tooth and nail to keep his NRL career alive in his final season at Canberra in 2006.
“I was treading water there for a bit. I don’t think (Raiders coach) Matt Elliott saw me in his plans but I got an opportunity early in the year and I thought to myself I just need to stay here and play good footy,” Hodgson said.
“I didn’t want Matt Elliott to dictate that that was when I was going to finish.
“So he gave me an opportunity to play first grade and he was honest with me, which was great, and I just played my best footy and an opportunity came up to move to the Gold Coast.
“I wasn’t ready to retire and I still felt that I hadn’t reached my potential and I am very thankful for the Titans and the opportunity that they gave me because it allowed me to have two years there and then move on to finish with three years at the Bulldogs. The best footy I played was after I went to the Titans.”
Across 14 years, Hodgson quietly accumulated 204 NRL games as a reliable front or second-rower.
He made his Titans debut in Round 6 of their inaugural season after overcoming a hamstring injury and credits his time at the club for becoming more professional.
Chief behind that was trainer Billy Johnstone, as well as the presence of players such as Nathan Friend, Mark Minichiello and Luke Bailey.
Hodgson is now based in Newcastle working for clothing company Paladin Sports. He is also in his fifth year on the NRL Match Review Committee, which issues charges for foul play, and occasionally commentates on games for the ABC.
Unlike many of his former teammates though, he has never felt the urge to pull the boots back on since retiring in 2011. “Sometimes it’s just time,” he laughed.