Concord or Canberra Tigers hope Hodgson makes quick switch

Josh Hodgson’s playing future is set to be decided within days with Wests Tigers hopeful the English rake will resume pre-season training at Concord, not Canberra.

Hodgson is due back at the Raiders on Friday, but Tigers officials have good reason to believe he no longer wants to be in the nation’s capital and is chasing a fresh start in Sydney under coach Michael Maguire.

Wests Tigers target Josh Hodgson.Credit:Getty

The Tigers would love Hodgson’s experience at dummy half, which would not only benefit the young forward pack but also take pressure off Luke Brooks.

The 32-year-old has already undergone a medical at the club. The only remaining hurdle is how much of his $900,000 deal for next year the Tigers are prepared to pay.

Sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Tigers officials will not budge on paying more than $500,000. The Raiders have already covered the first month of Hodgson’s salary this season, given the NRL pay cycle begins in November.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has repeatedly said there are no issues with Hodgson and knows he has plenty to offer in the final year of his contract in 2022. Hodgson was vocal about fellow Englishman George Williams’ mid-season return home, but Stuart persisted with him in the No.9.

Tim Sheens reported for duty at the Wests Tigers during the week.Credit:Jessica Hromas/SMH

With back-up rake Tom Starling due to front a Central Coast court in the new year following an altercation in a hotel, the Raiders are also aware there is no need to rush Hodgson out the door.

The Tigers hit pause on negotiations with Hodgson so new director of football Tim Sheens could get settled, with the club’s only premiership-winning coach commencing work just this week.

The club has first-choice hooker Jacob Liddle, as well as Jake Simpkin, while recruit Jackson Hastings and Tyrone Peachey are both capable of playing dummy half. But they keep coming back to Hodgson’s record on the big stage and have been buoyed by the feedback he wants to join them.

The Tigers are keen to offer Hodgson a two-year deal, but have no interest for 2023 or beyond if they cannot land him for next season.

The idea is for Hodgson to start afresh alongside the likes of Brooks, who, along with the club’s other senior players, resumes training on Thursday, so the spine has more than enough time to come together.

Apart from Hodgson, the Tigers are keen on recruiting another outside back. They have Englishman Oliver Gildart, Tommy Talau is overcoming an ACL rupture, while James Roberts remains on a train-and-trial deal and will know if he has a new deal before Christmas.

It was another big week in Tiger town with the return of Sheens on Monday followed by the news favourite son Benji Marshall will come back to focus on development and the club’s pathways programs.

“Benji Marshall is such an important part of our history, but we wanted him to be part of our future as well. He belongs here at the Wests Tigers,” Wests Ashfield chief Simon Cook told the Herald this week about Marshall’s return.

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