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Mortimer: Halves key for Bulldogs

26th September, 2014
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Kicking not one but two field goals to seal an extra-time NRL semi-final win is a hard act to follow.

But Trent Hodkinson has been asked by Bulldogs great Steve Mortimer to produce something special with halves partner Josh Reynolds in Saturday night’s NRL preliminary final against Penrith.

Canterbury halfback Hodkinson on Friday confirmed he would overcome a knee complaint and run out in the grand final qualifier after suffering an injury last weekend – not that you could tell.

Hodkinson left the field for treatment in the first half of last week’s semi-final against Manly after a nasty knock from Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon.

However he returned to slot the telling field goals in the 18-17 victory, including his 84th minute match-winner.

Still, four-time premiership winner Mortimer believed the Bulldogs’ halves were ones who had to improve if they were to keep their premiership dream alive.

“The forwards are playing great football and the defence is 90 per cent there but it is up to the five-eighth and the halfback to lift,” Mortimer told AAP.

“Trent and Josh both offer different things, they are very different players.

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“But together they have to combine to spark something, to be the catalyst.

“I want to see them take on the line more.

“I want them to look at where the numbers are on the field and capitalise on that – create a two on one situation, it’s as simple as that.”

Both Hodkinson and Reynolds suffered a post-State of Origin hangover of sorts after helping to inspire NSW’s drought breaking series win in 2014.

As a result, Canterbury fell over the finals line in seventh place but appear to be thriving under the finals pressure.

Mortimer was still buzzing from the Bulldogs’ stunning 28-4 elimination final win over the Storm in Melbourne.

However, he was still worried about the Bulldogs’ mindset after they lost four of their last six games leading in the finals.

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“The thing that worries me is how are the Bulldogs going to turn up tomorrow night,” he said.

“Penrith go toe to toe, you’ve got to be smart.

“The way Ivan Cleary has got Penrith they believe in each other, there is a confidence there.

“We saw it against the Roosters, they are not going to be intimidated.”

Mortimer’s nerves were settled somewhat by Hodkinson’s announcement on Friday that he was a certain starter.

Hodkinson will require post season surgery on his left knee and had been battling with the complaint but ran strongly in Friday morning’s captain’s run.

“The knee is all right,” Hodkinson told Fairfax.

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“It was a bit sore earlier in the week but it’s come on leaps and bounds since then.”

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