It appears the Dogs have gone cold on Henry in favour of Hodkinson which suits me fins as it screws Manly and keeps the pressure of our cap
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27074508-5018866,00.html
Canterbury-Bankstown are looking to recruit Manly halfback Trent Hodkinson
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
May 04, 2010
Canterbury-Bankstown's search for a successor to Brett Kimmorley has led them to the man he will oppose on Friday night - Manly and City rookie Trent Hodkinson.
The Australian has been told the Bulldogs, resigned to missing out on the signature of Parramatta's Kris Keating, are ready to make Hodkinson one of their priority signings for next season.
The 21-year-old City halfback will be off-contract at Brookvale in spring and the Sea Eagles have limited room to move under the salary cap given they have re-signed Glenn Stewart, Kieran Foran, Anthony Watmough and Jamie Lyon to lucrative long-term deals.
Canterbury officials are expected to make a move for Hodkinson when his manager, David Riolo, returns from overseas.
"We don't want to do our recruitment and retention through the media," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said on Monday when asked about Hodkinson.
Hodkinson has only played seven games in first grade but the Bulldogs are well aware of his talents, having attempted to sign him before he joined Manly.
The club has been actively pursuing a long-term replacement for Kimmorley, the Country halfback on Friday night in Port Macquarie, although Hodkinson's possible arrival may not spell the end for the incumbent NSW No.7.
The Bulldogs have used Kimmorley as a selling point in their talks with Eels half Daniel Mortimer and his teammate Keating, suggesting both players could develop alongside a player of Kimmorley's class.
Mortimer, however, chose to re-sign with Parramatta while Keating, who will partner Hodkinson in the City halves, is expected to follow suit.
"Dave (Riolo) is looking after all that," Hodkinson said.
"I'm happy at Manly. It's a great club and I would love to stay there. I would like to stay at Manly for a long time. I am enjoying my time there. I just don't know too much about it to be honest."
While Hodkinson has become a target, the Bulldogs are also chasing the signature of Melbourne Storm prop Aiden Tolman, a move which would be the forerunner to Ben Hannant joining Brisbane Broncos next season.
Tolman had an offer on the table from the Storm but that club's salary cap drama has put all talks on hold. "There's a number of quality players up for contract discussion at the end of the year, but with the current status of Melbourne, I think most clubs are sitting back to see how it unfolds," Greenberg said.
