Hodgo eyes off big contract

JUSTIN Hodges is on line for a $1 million pay day after starting negotiations on a new contract that could make him a Bronco for the rest of his life.

Justin Hodges

JUSTIN Hodges is on line for a $1 million pay day after starting negotiations on a new contract that could make him a Bronco for the rest of his life.

In a major boost for Hodges ahead of tonight's clash against the Roosters in Gosford, The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos have started talks with the off-contract 28-year-old, who wants to remain at Red Hill until the end of 2014.

Hodges' manager George Mimis met with Broncos operations chief Andrew Gee on Wednesday.

Negotiations are in the preliminary stage but the former Test centre is keen to secure a three-year deal and could command about $350,000 a season given his status as Brisbane's blue-chip backline star.

Hodges' career was at the crossroads just over a year ago when he snapped his achilles tendon and wiped out his 2010 campaign.

But he has bounced back well this season and the Broncos want the Maroons centre to mentor the next generation of backline stars headed by Jharal Yow Yeh, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed and Dale Copley.

Gee confirmed the Broncos were eager to reward Hodges with a multi-year deal after his determination in fighting back from the career-threatening achilles injury.

"Hodgo has had a very testing last 18 months," Gee said.

"But he's come through it beautifully and the club are very keen to secure him long term. He has matured a lot."

While Hodges is the priority retention target, the club is also making additional moves to secure its playing roster for 2012.

Senior player Corey Parker remains off contract at season's end, while prop Scott Anderson and former Test backrower Dane Carlaw are other free agents.

"With Corey, we'll sit down with him shortly," Gee said.

"We are very keen for him to stay here and he made it clear to us that he intends to be a one-team player."

Hodges had been linked with a move to England last year. There were also concerns about his state of mind after the Cairns junior waged a battle with depression two years ago.

But Hodges has become a more content individual. He married partner Gyanne Watson last June and Broncos insiders have detected a desire to be a leader at the club.

Mimis said Hodges could not be happier at Red Hill after a turbulent past two years.

"Justin definitely has an aspiration to finish his career at the Broncos and we're working towards that now," he said.

"Where he is at right now, he's in a good physical and mental state and that's reflected in what we're seeing from him."

Hodges has battled serious injuries but Mimis said his client may yet emulate Darren Lockyer by playing well into his 30s. "I don't think this will be his last contract," he said.

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Hodges clinging to Broncos' jumper

EX-ROOSTER Justin Hodges says playing in the Broncos jumper is a "special gift" he is not yet ready to hand back.

Hodges famously left Brisbane's bunker from 2002-04, winning a premiership with the Roosters and playing in two of the club's three straight grand finals during those years.

But after missing the entire 2010 season through injury, the Broncos' No.1 strike weapon is back where he belongs ahead of tonight's clash against the Roosters in Gosford.

And while Hodges has long entertained a move to the British Super League post-2011, he yesterday explained how his forced exile last year forced a rapid re-think.

Hodges, 28, has concluded the painful prospect of walking out on Red Hill for a second time is a decision he is not ready to make again ... at least not yet.

"It's a special gift to put that Broncos' jersey on," Hodges said.

"Each time I do, it's really special, and I try to wear the jersey with pride.

"I'm not ready to leave.

"I couldn't be any happier. Things are going well.

"I'm just really happy to back up each week for every game, I haven't done that for a long time.

"That (England) is down the track, at 33-34 when everyone's telling you to retire, you can go over there and do a bit of travelling.

"I want to stay here as long as possible and hopefully end my career here."

Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer has declared the "creativity of the Roosters will test us", even without Dally M Medal winner Todd Carney.

Brisbane will be without Ben Te'o (broken arm), with Dale Copley promoted on the wing and Jack Reed shifting to centre.

"They'll prove the most exacting test yet of our defence," Lockyer said.

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin again warned against complacency setting into his troops' mindset after a month-long winning streak.

"If we get comfortable with what we're doing, they'll come and get us, no risk," he said. "The trick for us is to forget about what happened last week and to work a little bit harder and faster, and make sure we're a little bit better every week."

Of his side's record of not conceding a second-half try this season, Griffin said: "We put a lot of work into it and we're happy it's there, but it'll go at some stage. It might be this week. That's (defence) just part of our game.

"Eventually the record, and winning streak, will come off. You've just got to make sure it comes off because it's ready to ... not because you've gone out and dropped your guard. It's easier to get back on (the horse) if that happens."

- Matt Marshall

ROOSTERS: 1 A Minichiello; 2 J Carney, 3 M Aubusson, 4 S Kenny-Dowall, 5 J Leilua; 11 B Anasta (c), 7 M Pearce; 8 J Ryles, 9 J Friend, 10 M Kennedy, 18 T Symonds, 12 FP Nuuausala, 13 N Myles. Res: 14 J Waerea-Hargreaves, 15 M Masoe, 16 M Riddell, 17 D Conn.

BRONCOS: 1 G Beale; 18 D Copley, 2 J Reed, 4 J Hodges, 5 J Yow Yeh; 6 D Lockyer (c), 7 P Wallace; 8 B Hannant, 9 A McCullough, 10 S Thaiday, 11 A Glenn, 12 M Gillett, 13 C Parker. Res: 14 M Dodds, 15 D Carlaw, 16 N Kenny, 17 C Norman