‘Not our captain’: Hodgson’s shock leadership call revealed as the star hooker is linked to Broncos

Canberra Raiders star Josh Hodgson has reportedly stepped down as the club’s captain amid links to a shock move to the Broncos.

Josh Hodgson reportedly stepped down as captain of the Raiders. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) NRL: Out of form Canberra Raider Josh Hodgson has reportedly taken himself out of the leadership group, according to Brent Read.

Canberra Raiders star Josh Hodgson reportedly stepped down as captain a fortnight ago. It comes as the veteran hooker is linked to a shock move to the Broncos.

Much has been made of the 31-year-old’s form this season with the Raiders dropping out of the top eight following four straight losses.

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Hodgson missed last week through injury and wasn’t named to play in Saturday’s clash with the Knights.

Back-up hooker Tom Starling has been clipping at Hodgson’s heels all year and is fast emerging as the Raiders’ best option at No.9.

NRL 360 host Ben Ikin asked the panel on Tuesday night whether an “awkward situation” was looming with coach Ricky Stuart potentially having to make a tough call on one of his captains, Hodgson.

The Australian’s Brent Read said “there’s an awkward situation already there,” revealing that he had been told Hodgson actually stepped down as captain.

“I got a phone call just before I came on air. Josh Hodgson two weeks ago apparently told Ricky and his teammates that he was standing down as captain,” Read said.

“That ties in with a conversation I know another journalist had with a senior official at the club. He was talking to him about Josh Hodgson and apparently he said to him ‘he’s your captain’ and the official said to him ‘he’s not our captain.’

“I didn't get a chance to check that before we came on air, I’ve got to stress that but I’m told two weeks ago Josh Hodgson told the players and Ricky Stuart that he was standing down as captain.”

Josh Hodgson’s future is reportedly up in the air.

Hodgson has shared the captaincy with Jarrod Croker since 2019 and it seems Croker is also battling some hurdles himself. The 30-year-old has switched off social media — and Read claims it’s because of what he’s been copping from fans.

“If you consider their other captain Jarrod Croker, went off social media two weeks ago because he was getting hammered by fans of the club... The two captains at the moment are under the gun,” he said.

Hodgson’s leadership call has come to light just as it emerged that the Broncos are considering making a play for him.

The Sydney Morning Heraldreported on Tuesday that Brisbane have had “high level discussions” about luring Hodgson to Red Hill for 2022.

The Englishman is contracted to Canberra until the end of next season. It’s understood the Raiders have not started any talks just yet about extending his deal.

“We’ve seen the Broncos have internally discussed Josh Hodgson as a potential recruit. I don’t think that’s progressed anywhere, I think it was just a conversation,” Read told NRL 360.

“There’s been no approach to Canberra about Josh Hodgson from the Broncos, but this is moving pretty quickly. Lots happening there.”

“How many cracks have you counted so far? That’s about half a dozen,” a stunned Ikin said in response to the Hodgson news.

Originally published as ‘Not our captain’: Hodgson’s shock leadership call revealed as the star hooker is linked to Broncos