24HR THREAD! Should 2014 be Hodges' last year?

[Foordy]

There are two main problems IMO. The fact that he still feels like he has to do it all himself, and that he'll likely only play 10 - 12 games in Broncos colours. On the first point, maybe Bennett will sit him down and tell him to just do his job. But will he listen? He's a born winner, but judging by his numerous public dressing-downs of Maranta, you get the impression he simply does not trust those around him to do their jobs, and that is a very toxic thing to have in a team sport. As to his inability to stay fit, I look at a player like Copley and I think that his development will actually go backwards if he's forced to shuffle between left centre, right centre, right wing etc. Hodges certainly won't have a spine position next year, so when he plays it's #4 or nothing. So do we turn Copley in to a specialist left centre? And punt Reed? Then what happens when Hodgo in injured or away on rep duties? Throw Oates back to centre? Bring in Kahu? It just seems like a lot of sacrifice to accommodate one player who is no longer in our long term plans. Moving forward, we need stability, develop familiar and consistent combinations, not a different 2-5 every week.

Copley is a specialist left center ... it was only once he got to the NRL that he started playing right side, most likely out of necessity. he confirmed this himself. (it was in a CM article not long after he played on the left for the first time this season after Reed and Vidot were dropped)

 

[Big Pete]

That would be news to me because the majority of the time I watched Dale in the NYC he was playing on the right hand side.

He could very well prefer the left, but he was adept at both sides and has been as strong either side of the field so far this season.

 

[Allo]

I was the one who posted the stat and yes after the Souths game it's 4/13 when he plays, 6/8 without him. I'm in the same boat as a lot of people it seems. Thursday's game is essentially what his efforts have been the last couple of years rolled into one: being equally great and awful. His try was a bit of luck, but he was there for it, he set up Vidot for a should've-been-try, but then he stuck his hand out at two bombs IN A ROW as he can't jump and both resulted knock-ons. Then there was the line he ran and knocked on, which is more about that stupid play we run, but it still happened.

The dummy-half runs can upset the flow of sets and while it may get us that 8-10m, that's not his job anymore and certainly won't be next year assuming McGuire, Hannant, Kennedy and Garbutt/Hala/Wallace etc are our correct prop rotation. Also Macca and Hunt have a good footy brain and can play what's in front of them and Hodges may be robbing them of those chances for unexpected big plays by his one-out runs.

Then there's the whole Maranta thing, and while I understand his frustration, as a leader, senior player and captain, he needs to be able to suppress it. Last year, fine, but this year it's not good enough, especially when he's shown some improvement when Hodges isn't there.

His injury history has played a big part in his patchy form. As Morkel said, the amount of positional changing isn't worth stunting younger player development and team gelling (lame term but you get it) just for Hodgo to continue his hot-and-cold contributions. They say competition for spots is good for a playing group but when it becomes blind loyalty to players that aren't helping the team grow and aren't long term prospects, that's when issues like this start to appear. We know what we get with him when he does play, which is only 50% of a season at the moment and that won't improve even if he does give up rep honours next year imo.

It's not worth it anymore.

The longer we keep him around, the longer our attack plays will be the same (depending on coaching structures too of course) and even potentially lose players the likes of Drew or similar young guys coming through the ranks due to his incumbency. (On a side note, why are we the only club that has kept basically the exact same centre-wing combinations for the past 3 years? EVERY other club has brought through at least one young or new player this year and yet we can't/don't. hmm)

To summarize, I think he's done. While his mind still believes he can do well, his fragile body, and to a lesser degree, attitude and impact on the team as a whole, say otherwise.

We love you Hodgo, the fire, passion, on-field sledging and trolling of opponents, the trick plays, the clutch wins, that gliding run that still managed to break the line while looking slow as shit, but it's time to call it a day.

 

[Porthoz]

That would be news to me because the majority of the time I watched Dale in the NYC he was playing on the right hand side.

He could very well prefer the left, but he was adept at both sides and has been as strong either side of the field so far this season.

That's actually incorrect BP. Copley played most games at left centre in Toyota Cup, but he did fill in at right centre on a handful of games as well. I've said this before, and I will repeat it again... seeing him on that left edge was like watching men playing boys, he was that far ahead!

Back to Hodgo.

As much as the stats are damning for him, I don't agree with the premise that we are worse with him on the field, but I do agree that he tends to push the boundaries too much in order to find that elusive moment that will put his team on the front foot. I also agree he lacks trust in whomever is outside of him, especially after a 2013 watching Maranta bomb tries he set up for him to just finish...

Having said that, I expect things to change with Bennett, in whom I obviously recognise capacity to both direct the team better, as well as telling Hodgo to choose his moments, and otherwise do his job.

And yes, he is older and his tendons are fragile, but he is still capable of brilliance, and like Foordy said, having him on the field means that the opposition teams will worry about him, which in turn means that the likes of Hunt, Barba and Milford will get more space to cause damage and create havoc.

Let's see what WB is capable of bringing out of Justin, before we throw him to the scrap heap...

 

[Unbreakable]

It really hurts me... like.. ****, Hodges is one of my favourite players of all time. But to answer the question, yes, I think it would be beneficial for the Broncos if he retired at seasons end.

I don't think I can really say too much bad about him, he's injury prone, it's been the story of his whole career. Even if he is on minimal coin for 2015/16, I honestly think it could be better used elsewhere. Copley is clearly our best and most promising Centre at the moment, so he's there, I don't think Jack Reed is the answer here though, he hasn't really had a good season since his rookie year.

"But Unbreakable, if Hodges retires and Reed isn't the answer, then who is?", good question.. I think the answer is Josh Hoffman.. He's clearly more comfortable on the right side of the park, passing left to right, and his big right foot step back in-field would be menacing at Centre imo. Darius will find his way here next year regardless of whether we want him or not, hopefully he'll be willing to play left wing, like State of Origin.

Which will leave us with something along the lines of the below line-up, the winger could be any number of people, it depends on who Bennett prefers.. Vidot, Maranta, Kahu? Maybe some NYC or ISC player we sign in the off-season.

1. Milford
2. Boyd
3. Copley
4. Hoffman
5. TBD
6. Barba
7. Hunt

 

[jarro65]

I'd like him to retire from rep football and concentrate more on staying healthy for one more year at the Broncos.

He still has plenty to offer the Broncos.

 

[Bucking Beads]

It's not like we've got a heap of quality outside backs coming through at the club. Ideally he retires from rep footy but I doubt he will. It's easy money.

 

[Sproj]

If we make next year's granny, if our line up is the following, I'm much more confident than any other name at right centre:

1. Milford
2. Boyd
3. Copley
4. Hodges
5. Hoffman/Vidot/whoever

it would be his last hurrah and he is a proven match winner and big game player. I would want him there. Building for the future is one thing but next year we are genuine title contenders and I would feel a heck of a lot more confident with that name at 4 than anyone else at our club hands down with no need to think about it.

 

[Morkel]

That's actually incorrect BP. Copley played most games at left centre in Toyota Cup, but he did fill in at right centre on a handful of games as well. I've said this before, and I will repeat it again... seeing him on that left edge was like watching men playing boys, he was that far ahead!

Back to Hodgo.

As much as the stats are damning for him, I don't agree with the premise that we are worse with him on the field, but I do agree that he tends to push the boundaries too much in order to find that elusive moment that will put his team on the front foot. I also agree he lacks trust in whomever is outside of him, especially after a 2013 watching Maranta bomb tries he set up for him to just finish...

Having said that, I expect things to change with Bennett, in whom I obviously recognise capacity to both direct the team better, as well as telling Hodgo to choose his moments, and otherwise do his job.

And yes, he is older and his tendons are fragile, but he is still capable of brilliance, and like Foordy said, having him on the field means that the opposition teams will worry about him, which in turn means that the likes of Hunt, Barba and Milford will get more space to cause damage and create havoc.

Let's see what WB is capable of bringing out of Justin, before we throw him to the scrap heap...

Do opposition teams fear him anymore? I haven't been hearing them call out this year when he's gone in to dummy half. I may be wrong, but I don't remember him breaking the line once this year from a dummy half run. As late as last year he was able to turn it on like a tap - like when he won the game against the Cowboys from 10 or 15 out, just weaved, fought, thrashed his way to the line. And more than once he scored on the blind side after a massive dummy 6 or 8 metres out. But this year, nothing. I don't think that it's opposition defences - if they couldn't shut it down after 13 years, why would they suddenly figure it out after 14? I think it is purely physical on Hodges' part. Whether he's resisting striding out, or whether he simply doesn't have the flexibility, but his one trademark play is no longer an effective weapon. And teams know it, unfortunately.

 

[Kimlo]

No way, if you were asking this question next year I might say yes, but should 2014 be his last? A big no from me.

Regardless of his patchy form, he's still time and time again, our most dangerous player on the field. He's a very smart footballer, he was on deck to score the Souths try, set up Vidot the way only Hodges can and was even pivotal in the other try passing the ball quickly when that's what needed to be done.

We might have played better without him this year but I don't believe that's because he isn't there, it's not that simple.

I'd love for him to retire from rep footy but that's really another argument for another day.

Hodges, Milford and a hopefully slimmed down Barba is what I want to see in our team next year.

You guys remember last year when he switched to fullback with a few minutes remaining and absolutely schooled Hoffman in fullback play?

Hodges is a Broncos legend, everyone needs to retire eventually but 2014 is not the year.

 

[Fozz]

No, I think he has another couple of years in him if he can stay free on any major injury.

He's slowing down but his mental game is still pretty quick. He just needs to trust his teammates more and not try to do everything himself.

Copley is a natural replacement at right centre in the future, we just need someone who can play in the left other than Reed. Copley and a declining Hodges is a better option than Reed and Copley.

 

[Rally Towel]

A no from me.

Yes he's getting long in the tooth, and there's a lot of miles in those legs. Additionally he's guilty of over playing his hand at times and is not the most natural choice for on field leadership.

Regardless, he's still got a great skill set and footballing nous. It's also hard to blame him for over involvement given our entire 2013 plan of attack boiled down to throw it to Hodges.

Factor in the co captaincy and it's little wonder he tries to do too much at times. Hard to shake the habit when he's had to carry the team so many times before. Blowing up at Maranta was an ugly look, but let's be real, he's blown some absolute sitters these last few years. Little wonder Hodges may lack faith in his team mates capabilities.

I say the old dog has another year in him, and he's earned the right to go out on his terms. Give him next year under Bennett, (ideally free of the responsibilities as co captain) and I'm optimistic our faith would not be misplaced. I believe we'll be a more cohesive force and he'll be better for it. Trust in the game plan, trust in your team mates, stick to right centre, do what you do best.

Also, please retire with grace from the rep arena. He can still cut it based on recent performance, but it's additional wear and tear he just doesn't need at this stage in his career.

 

[Harry Sack]

No way, if you were asking this question next year I might say yes, but should 2014 be his last? A big no from me.

Regardless of his patchy form, he's still time and time again, our most dangerous player on the field. He's a very smart footballer, he was on deck to score the Souths try, set up Vidot the way only Hodges can and was even pivotal in the other try passing the ball quickly when that's what needed to be done.

We might have played better without him this year but I don't believe that's because he isn't there, it's not that simple.

I'd love for him to retire from rep footy but that's really another argument for another day.

Hodges, Milford and a hopefully slimmed down Barba is what I want to see in our team next year.

You guys remember last year when he switched to fullback with a few minutes remaining and absolutely schooled Hoffman in fullback play?

Hodges is a Broncos legend, everyone needs to retire eventually but 2014 is not the year.

Forgot to include that line in my post. I think he should definitely be looking at retirement at the end of next year.

 

[nostradamus]

A famous quote from a former tennis great [YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS] Hodges is our NO 1 centre. Why would you want him to retire? We don't have anybody to replace him. From what I've seen from U20's there aint much coming thru.

 

[Morkel]

A famous quote from a former tennis great [YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS] Hodges is our NO 1 centre. Why would you want him to retire? We don't have anybody to replace him. From what I've seen from U20's there aint much coming thru.

Well IMO we do - in terms of genuine centres, we have Reed (who I still believe is serviceable), Copley, and Kahu. And that's before you start looking younger at players like Jordan Drew. If Hodges stays, it means that we have potentially Hoffman, Vidot, Maranta, Kahu, Drew, and then also Reed (and Boyd?) competing for wing spots - and people wonder why we haven't blooded any outside backs. Keeping Hodges really is going to stunt the development of a lot of those players.

 

[Battler]

He's a great player who's suffering from ridiculous decisions like Hoffman at 5/8 for most of the year. We'll be ashamed that we even raised this question next year when he has more creative players around him, as well as a winger who he can trust outside of him in Hoffman.

 

[Harry Sack]

Well IMO we do - in terms of genuine centres, we have Reed (who I still believe is serviceable), Copley, and Kahu. And that's before you start looking younger at players like Jordan Drew. If Hodges stays, it means that we have potentially Hoffman, Vidot, Maranta, Kahu, Drew, and then also Reed (and Boyd?) competing for wing spots - and people wonder why we haven't blooded any outside backs. Keeping Hodges really is going to stunt the development of a lot of those players.

Yep.

It's a tough problem because I think he has another year in him...but as you say, keeping him stunts quite a few players. It will also see us lose some.

 

[Rally Towel]

Yep.

It's a tough problem because I think he has another year in him...but as you say, keeping him stunts quite a few players. It will also see us lose some.

That's one way of looking at, and a valid point. However, remember how Yow Yeh benefited from being outside him? With a better team structure next year, I'd argue he'll be better equipped to play his role (ie. Right centre only) , and our right edge can be well honed under his tutelage. Assuming 2015 is his swansong, it's the perfect time for us to choose his successor to serve as apprentice.

He and Hoffman could be a lethal combo, if he sticks around. Failing him, Drew, Kahu, Reed, or Vidot. Even Oates, depending on our back row selection.

Copley needs to stay left centre for next year. Obviously our most effective and long term option. No more slotting in on the wing.