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Hodges' future at Broncos is unclear: Bennett

15th May, 2015
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Wayne Bennett has not ruled out the possibility of Broncos captain Justin Hodges walking away from the NRL club at the end of the season.

The 16-season veteran has already confirmed that he will retire from representative football at season’s end.

Hodges – 33 this month – has a year left on his current Broncos contract but reportedly had a recent discussion about his future with Bennett.

Asked about a report that claimed 2015 may mark Hodges’ last year at the Broncos, Bennett said: “I don’t know that, I can’t say definitely.

Bennett was then quizzed on who would make the final call: “Good question,” he replied.

Asked if he would have some input Bennett said: “I probably have.”

When Hodges recently confirmed he would not play rep footy next year, he claimed he “owed it to the club” to concentrate on the Broncos in 2016.

However, it is believed Hodges will make a final call on whether to play on at Brisbane next year after the Origin series ends in July.

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Bennett has a widely reported philosophy that players should retire a year early rather than a year too late.

Hodges – a veteran of 21 Origins for Queensland – has been hampered by serious injuries throughout his career and niggles won’t go away.

A recent battle with ever present hamstring issues meant he missed the trans-Tasman Test in Brisbane, ensuring he will never play for Australia again.

At least Bennett could see the funny side of the inglorious end to Hodges’ 13-Test career.

“He was lucky in the end, I thought,” a smiling Bennett said of Hodges missing the Kangaroos’ 26-12 Test loss to New Zealand.

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