Hodkinson knee fine, says player manager

RUGBY LEAGUE: Trent Hodkinson’s so-called dodgy knee is not the health risk everyone is making out, and the former NSW Origin winning halfback “definitely feels he has plenty of good footy left in him”.

That is the view of Hodkinson’s agent and former top grade player David Riolo, who yesterday defended of one of the NRL’s genuine good guys amid injury “misinformation”.

Riolo plans to continue talks with Manly coach Trent Barrett today to see if they can strike a deal for the out-of-favour Newcastle playmaker so Hodkinson can reunite with the club that gave him his start.

Hodkinson still has a year to run on his Knights contract.

Barrett is interested in Hodkinson as a possible partner for Daly Cherry-Evans following Blake Green’s departure.

While Hodkinson’s past knee problems casts some doubt over his worth, Riolo is adamant his issues are manageable.

“When he is my age (45) he is going to be a shot duck but so am I, so are most of my mates,” Riolo said. “That is the nature of a contact sport.

“It doesn’t leave your body in good shape in later life.

“But there has been a lot of misinformation (about his knees). His health is fine.

“You could check the stats but I don’t think he has missed a game in the last three years through his knee.

“He didn’t get picked a couple of times last year. He got dropped ... it wasn’t his knee.”

Riolo said Newcastle coach Nathan Brown had been supportive of Hodkinson’s situation.

But, he added, he would be a “great acquisition” for Manly.

“I would like to see that happen,” Riolo said.

“He definitely feels that he has plenty of good footy left in him.”