Raiders’ Josh Hodgson has made an impact in NRL — but could have been playing for Parramatta

JOSH Hodgson is leading the Dally M medal count wearing the lime green of Canberra, but he quite easily could have been wearing blue and gold.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders prepares to pass the ball during the round three NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium on March 19, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

JOSH Hodgson is leading the Dally M medal count wearing the lime green of Canberra, but he could have quite easily been playing for Parramatta.

In the lead-up to Saturday’s Eels and Raiders clash at Pirtek Stadium, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Hodgson was approached by Parramatta officials while he was playing for Hull KR in 2013.

The blue and golds had won just two of their opening eight matches and were keen to add quality players to their roster.

Josh Hodgson had interest from Parramatta before signing with Canberra.

This was especially the case when coach Ricky Stuart, now at the Raiders, moved on 12 players in an attempt to clear the club’s salary cap just a month later.

Current Wests Tigers assistant Craig Sandercock was the Rovers’ coach and has fond memories of receiving a phone call from the Eels, who were keen to land his star No.9.

“I couldn’t have given Josh a big enough rap to them because for me he was the best hooker in England,” recalled Sandercock, who said the Eels also inquired about his fullback Greg Eden, who’s now playing under Wayne Bennett at Brisbane.

“His passing out of dummy half and his running game was unbelievable. At times we even used him as a back rower because his running game was that good.”

At the time, Hodgson had just re-signed at Hull KR for a further four seasons. Sandercock was happy to release his gun hooker to enhance his career, but the man himself didn’t want to go anywhere.

The Eels also faced a battle to afford the payout required to land the standout Englishman.

The grass has been greener in Canberra for Hodgson.

“Josh had a couple of offers from a few different clubs, but he is a pretty loyal guy and he decided to stay at Hull KR for a little bit longer,” he said.

“I was keen to let him go, because I saw that as my job over there to develop players that an NRL club would have. That means Hull KR must have been doing something right in their development system.

“Now Josh is getting the fruits of his labour and it doesn’t surprise me at all. It’s a massive kudos for a club like Hull KR to have a guy like him come over to Australia and prove he is one of the elite hookers.”

Hodgson eventually left Hull less than a year later to link with Canberra under the coaching of Stuart on a two-year deal.

The Raiders were forced to shelve out a six-figure sum to secure the hooker’s services given he still had three years to run on his deal at the Rovers, but it’s proven to be money well spent based on his stellar form this season.

Sandercock couldn’t be prouder of Hodgson’s rise to prominence and insists there are plenty more players in the English Super League worthy of an NRL contract.

“There are a couple of boys over there that I’d love to bring out right now,” he said.

Dan Sarginson has been tipped to be a star for the Titans.

“Hopefully you’ll see some more quality Englishmen come over because there are a few real good ones running around that I think could easily make the transition to the NRL.

“Guys like Kallum Watkins at Leeds and Leroy Cudjoe at Huddersfield, those types of guys are electric, young and they’d go really well.

“I also think Dan Sarginson (Wigan) will do really well at the Titans. He is a good player and there are also a few really good young forwards who would do well, but I can’t tell you because I want them to come to my club.”

Originally published as Raiders’ Josh Hodgson has made an impact in NRL — but could have been playing for Parramatta