Knights the only thing on the mind of Blues halfback Trent Hodkinson

TRENT Hodkinson says he’s only focused on lifting the Knights and not retain his spot as New South Wales halfback.

BARRY TOOHEY

2 min read

April 9, 2016 - 9:14PM

Trent Hodkinson

LAURIE Daley has him already pencilled in but the challenge of helping lift Newcastle to their first win of the season rather than making any sort of personal Origin statement is what is driving Knights halfback Trent Hodkinson.

Hodkinson says his form is “not where I’d like it to be” but like the team in general, he can sense improvement.

“I’m definitely out of my comfort zone but I knew that was going to be the case coming here,” he says. “The challenge was a big part of it.

“I’m not where I’d like to be yet but I think I’m slowly getting there. I’m happy enough at the moment but at the same time, I know there is plenty of room for improvement.

“It will come with time and working hard on combinations.”

Hodkinson knows the Knights let slip a big opportunity for a break-through first win last weekend against Melbourne and is hoping the team makes amends at home against the Wests Tigers.

“We should have beaten the Storm,” he said.

“We are not too far away and it was only a few late tackle penalties that invited them into our half and eventually led to our downfall.

“A side like Melbourne doesn’t let those opportunities slip and it is something we have to learn and get out of our game. It’s a good opportunity to do it against the Tigers on Sunday.

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“They are very unpredictable, they play off the cuff and you don’t know what kind of footy they are going to bring to the table so that makes them dangerous.

“We are going to have to be up for anything they throw at us. It’s going to be a tough one.”

Hodkinson said he and five-eighth Jarrod Mullen will have their hands full against Tigers young guns Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses.

Hodkinson has endured a difficult start to the season.

“They are good young talents, aren’t they,” he said.

“They seem to have really improved from last season and with Robbie (Farah) back and (James) Tedesco at the back, we have to hold them up the middle and try and take those guys out of the game as much as we can.”