Expectation on Trent Hodkinson has been unrealistic, says Knights coach Nathan Brown

HE’s the former Origin halfback who in 12 months finds himself on just about everyone’s “Worst Buy of the Season” list after his struggles at the Knights.

Expectation on Trent Hodkinson has been unrealistic, says Knights coach Nathan Brown.

HE is the former State of Origin halfback who in the space of 12 months finds himself on just about everyone’s “Worst Buy of the Season” list after his struggles at the Newcastle Knights.

But as Trent Hodkinson prepares to confront his former Bulldogs teammates at Hunter Stadium for the first time since he was forced out of the club at the end of last season, Knights coach Nathan Brown has jumped to his defence, declaring the expectation on his halfback has been unrealistic.

“When someone is a big signing, the expectations go very high,” Brown said.

“I think Hokko (Hodkinson) understands that and probably half sort of expects it.

HODKO: ‘Dogs could put 50 on us’

Expectation on Trent Hodkinson has been unrealistic, says Knights coach Nathan Brown.

“But I think we all need to probably sit back and understand where he has come from and what he has come into.”

Where he came from was the comfort and luxury of a back seat ride behind one of the biggest and best forward packs in the competition at Belmore.

Now he finds himself barking out orders to a group of L-platers still feeling their way in the NRL.

It has been a challenging transition made more difficult by a dodgy knee that is not going to get any better and the fact that his playmaking partner Jarrod Mullen has been out of a big portion of the season.

“Hokko came from Canterbury where he was used to playing with a lot of experienced players and has come into a side where he has generally played with 18 year old halves and a lot of forwards who are 18, 19 or 20,” Brown said.

“They are a long way from being as developed as the Kasiano’s, James Graham’s and Aiden Tolman’s.

“It has been a tough ask on the young ones but it has also been a tough ask on our experienced ones like Hokko.”

Jarrod Mullen will return from injury against the Bulldogs.

Thankfully for the Knights skipper, Mullen returns from injury against the Bulldogs after missing the embarrassing loss to Manly last weekend.

“You take away the first three or four games, other than that, while ever Jarrod has been on the field, we have generally been in contests,” Brown said.

“Obviously, he brings a lot of experience and his kicking game is outstanding and in these (wet) conditions, it is even more important.”

Brown says his side’s ability to handle the Dogs’ pack is key to whether they can cause a boilover.

“Any game where we have been blown away a little bit – you look at Cronulla out here (Hunter Stadium), Manly the other day and the Cowboys – those games we have struggled defensively around the ruck,” he said.

“It’s pretty clear where they are going to be coming. They have some fairly big guys. We have obviously prepared like anyone would to try and combat their big men.

“But it’s obviously a lot easier sitting in the stand and watching it than being out there doing it.”

Originally published as Expectation on Trent Hodkinson has been unrealistic, says Knights coach Nathan Brown