Justin Hodges happy to mentor troubled Bronco James Roberts
BRONCOS and Origin legend Justin Hodges wants to become a mentor for troubled Brisbane star James Roberts after the centre was cleared to play this year.
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JUSTIN Hodges wants to become a mentor for troubled Broncos star James Roberts after the centre was cleared to play this year.
The NRL yesterday delivered its findings from an investigation after the 23-year-old was accused of pulling the hair of a young woman at a Gold Coast nightclub this month.
No action will be taken against Roberts by the NRL after the integrity unit found there was not enough evidence to find him guilty.
The former Titan has placed himself on an alcohol ban and Broncos CEO Paul White said the club would enforce it.
White confirmed yesterday that the Broncos were working with Roberts to keep him on the right track and that included using mentors.
Before the outcome of the investigation was known, former Broncos skipper Hodges said he wanted to help Roberts.
Although the two did not play for Brisbane at the same time, Hodges said he was good friends with Roberts and wanted to help him realise his potential.
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“If I can be a voice for him or help him in anyway, then I would be more than happy to make sure I can get the best out of him,” he said.
“I just don’t want to see him go to waste. We have so many young indigenous kids who battle through alcohol problems.
“He’s had a different upbringing than most of us, a real bad upbringing, but he loves playing football. Jimmy has so much raw ability that I don’t think he’s tapped into yet.”
Hodges suggested Roberts should do more community work, including visiting indigenous communities.
While White did not go into detail about the Broncos’ plans for Roberts, he said mentors would be a crucial part of helping him move forward.
“There needs to be a lot of mentors,” White said. “We all need to be accountable.”
Originally published as Justin Hodges happy to mentor troubled Bronco James Roberts
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