NRL 2021: Bulldogs talk to Josh Hodgson after stepping down as Raiders co-captain

An NRL rival has targeted Josh Hodgson for an immediate release, as the Englishman announced he was standing down as Raiders co-captain.

Canberra's Joseph Tapine on his way to scoring a try during the Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders Semi Final at the SCG. Picture: Brett Costello

The Bulldogs have made inquiries to prise Josh Hodgson out of Canberra.

In a further development surrounding the immediate playing future of the English international, Raiders management fielded a call from representatives of the Bulldogs two weeks ago.

The Raiders were asked if they would let Hodgson go for the remainder of the 2021 season.

The Bulldogs have their long-term targets set on Storm dummy-half Brandon Smith, but believed Hodgson would prove dynamic in transitioning the club through a tough season this year.

Canterbury have also used a high rotation of dummy-halves due to injuries in the position including Sione Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-KIng and Brad Deitz.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Josh Hodgson has stood down as co-captain at the Raiders. Picture: Picture: Brett Costello

Bulldogs officials have confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Hodgson was considered as a short-term solution.

However, the Raiders quickly rejected the overtures, believing Hodgson was vital to their own premiership campaign.

The Dogs interest in Hodgson beyond this season would depend on the club’s first focus, which is believed to be Smith, who they can’t negotiate until November 1.

Hodgson on Tuesday relinquished his role as the Raiders’ co-captain.

Hodgson’s decision two weeks ago came as a shock to some at the Raiders and raises huge questions about his long-term future in the nation’s capital.

Hodgson explained his decision to relinquish the captaincy, “I’ve made the decision to stand down as club Captain and I informed the team of this a couple of weeks ago,” the veteran hooker said on a statement issued via the Raiders website.

Trent Barrett and the Bulldogs had Josh Hodgson in their sights. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I’ve been out injured for the past two games and I’ve been working hard on getting myself back on the training field. I’m confident I’ll be ready to play again when we play the Bulldogs next weekend.

“I can assure everyone that I remain fully committed to the club and I’m looking forward to getting myself back to 100% fitness and helping the team get their season back on track.”

And in another stunning development it has emerged that Hodgson has been at the centre of talks in Brisbane about the potential of trying to lure him to the Broncos next season.

The Hodgson development is intriguing given the debate this season about whether the Raiders play better with Tom Starling as the starting hooker.

The Raiders also have an outstanding prospect rising through the ranks with former Kirwan High hooker Adrian Trevilyan rated a future star.

In fairness to Hodgson, he is returning from an ACL knee injury that ruined his last year but in 2019 was one of the most dominant players in the competition.

Neither coach Ricky Stuart or Hodgson wanted to make comment on Tuesday night but a club statement is expected on Wednesday.

Ricky Stuart insists Joseph Tapine is not on the outer at Canberra. Picture: Brett Costello

It comes in the wake of further sensational developments that English halfback George Williams is homesick and is appealing for a release, while Stuart was on Tuesday forced to shut down rumours relating to a row with star Kiwi lock Joseph Tapine.

There has been talk doing the rounds in the NRL that Stuart and Tapine were involved in a heated clash on Monday.

This has led to rival clubs monitoring the situation in relation to the talk Tapine was set to leave Canberra.

News Corp on Tuesday spoke to Stuart who concedes the Raiders are going through a very tough time at the moment. They have lost their past four games.

But he maintains that the strength of camaraderie within the squad is not pulling apart at the seams and Tapine doesn’t want out.

Stuart had a meeting with Tapine on Monday, along assistant coach Brett White, to talk through football matters relating to the lock’s form.

Tapine’s situation became a matter of public debate over the weekend when his wife Kirsten had a crack at Stuart on Instagram in respect to her husband’s lack of game time as well as some post-match comments the coach made about two controversial no-try calls against Jack Wighton against South Sydney.

The Raiders coach dismissed that dig.

Kirsten Tapine hit out at Ricky Stuart on social media.

What Stuart won’t back away from is the fact he has not been happy with Tapine’s form, and that of other players, and they need to rectify it quickly to save their season.

Club legend Laurie Daley told News Corp that Stuart was justified in demanding more from his players.

“Sticky would be frustrated knowing his side isn’t playing as well as he knows they can and compared to what we’ve seen this Raiders team do in the past. He knows they are capable of a lot better,” Daley said.

The Raiders host the Knights on Saturday with both teams desperate for a win. Canberra will be boosted by the return of Josh Papalii.

The star prop did not play against the Rabbitohs after conceding in the media that football was not his priority of the moment.

Josh Papalii will return for Canberra against Newcastle. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Despite Canberra’s form slump, Daley isn’t willing to write off the Raiders’ title hopes and believes a rejuvenated Papalii can help turn around the Raiders’ fortunes.

“You don’t know what is going in a player’s life or how they have handled the short pre-season … one thing I do know is he has got to get back to his best if the Raiders are to do anything in this competition. He’s their forward leader, the team looks up to him and if he can do that, I would not be writing the Raiders off,” Daley said.

“It’s a matter of Josh working the ruck, getting the field position and go forward and then once that’s happened and the defenders are dragged in, then the halves and boys on the edge can have the ball. It’s a matter of communicating a little bit better.”