Hodkinson was playing behind the biggest pack in the history of rugby league when he was at the Dogs and his attacking stats were deplorable. That said it all imo.
We were desperate for a signing at the time (when aren't we) and the perfect storm (Hagan et al ) were writing the cheques so it was a fait accompli. I do understand the theory that he would be good foil for Mullo and that he generally seemed like a good defender and had a decent kicking game at the Dogs so tick, tick there in recruitment strategy.
However, as we have now seen, for what ever reasons (possibly the same reasons some excuse most of Mullo's poor career) he is playing behind a mediocre pack and he doesn't seem to have the same strengths as he did when at Canterbury. That said, I believe that even behind a great pack he wouldn't be setting the world on fire. He just isn't a create half. At all.
I laugh and then shake my head at the $$$$ being thrown around for some players. I mean nearly a million for Aaron Woods. Dugan wants nearly a million. Jack Bird a million. These blokes are rep players - yes - but part of a NSW culture that has won jack shit for a decade. I find it hard to justify those sort of figures no matter what the salary cap. Kudos to Bird, he is a Premiership winning player now.
I love Jack Bird as a player. What he did in the GF after copping that elbow injury was inspiring. He's tough. He's a winner. But I have reservations about paying him nearly a million a season to come here and play behind our pack most probably as the number 6 in a position he really hasn't played much of in the top grade. If it happens I pray he's as good as I hope he is. That's a lot of dosh to be tied up if it turns to shit. It's absolute top tier player money isn't it? As for Woods, I could never entertain paying him close to a million. Ever.
I don't know what the answer is. I always thought we would have a good enough junior system in the area to find some gems especially in the spine positions but alas we've had pretty much sweet FA after the Joey/Bedsy era.
I've been fully supportive of Brown and his staff since day one. I believe they were extremely quick to identify the players that had to be shown the door. I have not disagreed with any of their decisions. With that job done, I like some of the short term signings they have made and understand why they have made them. The young locals have had their careers fast tracked and I have my fingers crossed they will repay the coaching staff ten fold in the longer term. We need them to come good in a very big way.
A money ball type of roster is probably our go with 2 or 3 rep quality players at best. Maybe Ponga will tick that box in years to come but who will the other 2 (hopefully more) rep quality players be????
