Manly coach Des Hasler has urged the NRL to hurry up and make a decision about increasing the salary cap after watching Canterbury-bound Trent Hodkinson kick his side to a 26-25 victory over South Sydney on Saturday.

Hodkinson agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated $280,000 a season with the Bulldogs this week, putting an end to speculation about his future.

Manly had been hopeful of persuading the 21-year-old former Parramatta junior to stay with the club and Hasler failed to hide his frustration at the loss of one of his bright young stars due to salary cap pressures.

There has been speculation the NRL will raise the salary cap before the end of the season after signing a $45 million deal with the NSW State Government to keep the grand final in Sydney.

Manly had privately been confident of retaining Hodkinson once the cap had been adjusted, but with no sign of it happening, the Bulldogs stepped in with a firm offer and snapped up the City Origin halfback.

“Yep”, snapped Hasler when asked if he was disappointed at losing Hodkinson.

“I might get fined $10,000 if I say what I want to say.

“I just want them to make some decisions, as do all of the clubs as to what is going on with the salary cap and what is going on with the game.

“Hopefully that might happen this week. It is a strange way to run a business.

“It says a lot for the club and the coaching staff about how our two halves are developing, but that is footy. Now let’s talk about some other issues.”

Hodkinson, who kicked two late field goals to win the game – the first Manly player to do so since Bob Fulton 37 years ago – admitted it was a tough decision for him to make, but was relieved his future had finally been resolved.

“It is a bit disappointing to have to leave, but that is next year but for this year I will be giving a 110 per cent for Manly,” Hodkinson said.

“It is a massive weight off my shoulders, it had been playing on my mind so now I can concentrate of my footy.”

© AAP 2012

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