Halfback Trent Hodkinson expects new coach Des Hasler to recreate the same style of play at Canterbury that he used to snare two NRL premierships with Manly.
While Hodkinson hasn’t been able to take part in any pre-Christmas field sessions as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery, the former Manly playmaker says he sees glimpses of the Sea Eagles in what Hasler is doing in training at Belmore.
“He’s won two grand finals, so it definitely works,” Hodkinson said.
“He’ll want to bring his own style of footy over, the structure.
“I’ve been watching on from the sidelines and it’s been pretty sharp.”
A frustrated spectator, Hodkinson says he’s been counting down the days until he can get back to working with Hasler.
It was under Hasler that Hodkinson burst onto the NRL scene in 2010, when he earned a City Origin jumper after just a handful of top-grade games.
He came under criticism from Hasler when he flew the Sea Eagles coop after his rookie campaign, but the 23-year-old said he was looking forward to reuniting with his mentor.
He has just returned to running in the gym, and expects to rejoin the squad for field sessions when they return from their Christmas break early in the new year.
“My first year was obviously better than last season. It was a bit quiet,” Hodkinson said.
“I’m looking forward to being back under Des. Hopefully I can get my footy back to where it was and improve as well.”
Hodkinson is expected to partner Kris Keating in the halves when the Bulldogs open their NRL season against Penrith, but Hodkinson said both Joel Romelo and Josh Reynolds would also be in the mix for a start.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hodkinson started and finished last season well. He had a long flat spot in the middle of the season but so did the Dogs in general.
Robbo
Guest
I think Hodkinson is full of excuses.......I've seen many a player show enormous potential in there first season only to struggle after that...I hope not, he seems like a very nice kid but the writing is on the wall going by his form of last season.....
Sea Eagle of Brisbane
Guest
Well, Jack Gibson won 2 Grand Finals with the Chooks, 3 with the Eels. Anything possible these days; as long as Hasler has the backing of both players and the Board he may repeat the same feat. While it is bad news for Manly, good news for the game as a whole that players can learn from the best coaches of the time. Same applies to Bennett too. The teams will be more even which will benefit the game.