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Brett Hodgson is still missing one last accolade from his CV in Europe and the Warrington Wolves full-back is determined to ensure that this is the year he completes the set. |
The Australian won the Challenge Cup last year, earning the Lance Todd Trophy in the process, and was the Super League Man of Steel in 2009 but has yet to taste Grand Final success.
The 35-year-old came desperately close with Warrington last year, losing out 26-18 to Leeds Rhinos, who they overcame in the Challenge Cup final, in the showpiece at Old Trafford.
The Rhinos travel to Warrington on Friday as the regular Super League season nears its conclusion with the Wolves in red-hot form and sitting one place ahead of Leeds in third.
Warrington have won ten of their last 11 games in all competitions and Hodgson, who last featured in the NRL for Wests Tigers, is desperate to lay down a marker for the play-offs.
“We want to finish in the top-two positions in the league first and foremost,” he said. “But the goal is to win the Grand Final.
“It’s the last thing missing for me as an Australian coming across, that was what I wanted to do and we got so close last year.
“It’s always good to test yourself against the big teams and Leeds are certainly that, they know how to perform in the big games. They are having a few injury problems at the moment but you can never write them off and we want to continue improving.”
While the Rhinos’ injury losses include skipper Kevin Sinfield and England international Danny McGuire, Warrington’s own medical woes finally look to be turning the corner.
Long-term concern Chris Bridge is back in action while Ben Harrison is also nearing a return but Hodgson has been impressed with the way the squad has coped in their absence. “The squad is slowly coming back to full strength which is a good sign,” he added. “Everyone has mucked in together and we have continued to get good results.”
Elsewhere Hull FC welcome Huddersfield Giants on Sunday knowing that their Super League play-off hopes are fading as their poor run of form continues.
Peter Gentle’s side have lost their last three Super League games in a row, slipping to seventh, and the ex-Wests Tigers assistant has called for a response, and soon.
“I believe the effort is there but the execution is just nowhere near good enough,” said Gentle. “It’s extremely disappointing at the moment.
“I think we’ve lost a bit of confidence. We’re all frustrated; we’ve just got to continue to try to get it right. We need to stand up as a team.”
Meanwhile Francis Meli has announced that after eight seasons with St Helens he will be moving on next year after agreeing to join Salford City Reds.
St Helens face Castleford while Salford travel to Hull KR this weekend and Reds owner Dr Marwan Koukash insists Meli is vital to their rebuilding plans.
“Successful teams need experienced players in their ranks and we are delighted Francis is joining us,” he said.
“He has been a very consistent performer in Super League. Players like this can bring so much to the squad and the dressing room environment.”