Trent Hodkinson was the unexpected hero in this year’s State of Origin.
With the game on the line, and New South Wales needing a player to stand up and take victory, who would have thought Hodkinson would pull off the play to end Queensland’s dynasty?
Hodkinson’s performance in Game 2 typifies his career. Whatever he conjured in attack, Queensland were able to handle it in defence. But he’s persistent.
With only minutes left on the clock, he finally got it right.
In the dying stages of the game, Queensland led 4-nil. Hodkinson received the ball on the left from Robbie Farah, threw a dummy to Ryan Hoffman, fooling Daly Cherry-Evans. Hodkinson ran through the gap to score the most important try of his career, and the most important New South Wales try of the past eight years.
That play will be shown for decades as one of the most special moments in Origin history.
It’s ironic he beat his opposing number 7. Back when Hodkinson was the Manly halfback, Cherry-Evans had to bide his time in reserve grade. Once Hodkinson left for the Bulldogs, Cherry-Evans was able to make his first-grade debut.
The two players went in different directions. Hodkinson got a few injuries at the Bulldogs and lost his first-grade spot to Kris Keating, costing him a grand final appearance in 2012. Cherry-Evans became the Manly halfback, won a premiership in 2011, and has gone on to represent Queensland and Australia.
Man of the moment Trent Hodkinson is not the most talented player to ever lace a boot, but that series-winning moment has made him part of Origin folklore. That individual play ended eight years of heartache to finally give New South Wales a series win, and made Trent Hodkinson a State of Origin legend.
Chappy
Guest
Couldn't have said it any better myself Barry. And let's not forget the so called experts, good ol boys club and Pearce lovers who continued to push Pearce for selection up until game 1 kickoff. Thank you lady in yellow dress and Loz for dropping Pearce, because if he played we would of lost the series.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pure luck...??? Gobsmacked by that sort of comment. For years we've been crying out for a half that will step up and win the game when it's in the balance. He delivers and it gets called luck. He saw it was on, overcalled the planned play and set it up perfectly. A show and go through the defence in the last 10. Thurston gets hailed a hero when he puts on that sort of play. NSW fans are a strange lot. For years we've been nailed by great last 10 minute plays by Lockyer, Thurston, Cronk and co - finally a blues half steps up to win the game and we still can't let go of club bias. Pearce has played in plenty of Origins that have been in the balance and never come up with a play like that. Hodko has played two origins, won both and won one of them off his own bat. Pearce's form early in the season was dire. He's only been playing good footy since he got axed. He showed how much he wanted Origin by getting on the sauce and kicked out of two venues a week before the team was named.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Don't you think that Reynolds is his perfect foil? How would a less erratic halves partner benefit Trent or the team?
Chappy
Guest
So true Jay Bob, Pearce was never the answer for the Blues and never will be. He always goes missing when the big plays are required to win. For example Pearce entire Origin career and last years GF, which was won by SBW, Maloney, Jennings and co.
fishes
Guest
He did more than Mitchell Pearce ever did. And luck? Cracking Queenslands line is never luck. Haters gunna hate.
JayBob
Guest
Pearce has had more opportunities than any other NSW halfback and hasn't won a series. A lot of those game had moments near the end where Pearce could have easily stepped up and been the hero, very close contests that came down to the last minutes, but it was always JT or Cronk coming up with the big play. Pearce would either go missing at the crucial time when he is needed or make a ridiculous mistake because he can't handle the pressure. First year without him and we win. 2-0 already and have played a game in QLD. Last year with 2 games in NSW he couldn't even do it. And to add to the deficiency in attack while under pressure, defence was even worse. Our defence this series has been outstanding so far and the halves control where the players defend during spreads. Not to mention Hodkinson's tackling technique, outstanding. What about Maloney the speed bump last year? Thaiday would have been spewing he didn't get selected.
Mark
Guest
Halves only go as good as the pigs in front of them, if they aren't given any space upfont it's hard to create the opportunities.
Muzz
Guest
Watch Pearce and Maloney's alignments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCjETqPySNc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLtNpBMMkGo
Muzz
Guest
No mate, Roosters don't play split halves under Trent Robinson.Pearce is always 1st receiver in set plays left or right side of the field.You may have seen him put Cordner Aubusson Jennings through holes down the left edge as well as Sonny Bill and Guerra on the right edge. Maloney adds composure and also steers but Pearce is the main organiser.Go watch a game live and you will see how animated he is steering the forwards around or try sports ears and you will hear him above any other Roosters player directing traffic. If you live in Sydney go watch them train at Moore Park and you will see who the general is up close and see just how laid back Maloney is.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
They were playing Newcastle, of course he had good stats, everyone has good stats against Newcastle and those aren't even especially impressive.
Chappy
Guest
First of all, Pearce is not the general for the Roosters, Maloney is. The Roosters play split halves, with Pearce on the right with Sonny Bill who makes Pearce look good, especially with line break assists stats. And those stats you put up refer to the game against the Knights who are currently coming dead last. Your comment clearly shows you have no idea what your talking about
Muzz
Guest
Pearce is the main organiser at the Chooks but that goes unnoticed and as Robbo has said "he makes everyone else look good"He did plenty in the GF but again went unnoticed as some punters only look for and remember clutch plays.Roosters don't play with split halves so he is 1st receiver on all set plays.These set plays produce a fair percentage of the points and Pearce is always spot on in his decision making and execution in these plays. These are his Stats for his last club game 8 runs,51 metres 1 offload 1 tackle bust 1 line break assist 2 try assists 13 kicks for 396 meters 18 tackles No miss tackles
Knightblues
Guest
Every Qlder should be forced to name their first son Trent.
therugbyfan
Guest
By SBW? Tupou and Moa did more than him plus Jennings secured it
Gappy
Guest
How they had 2 homes games last year and couldn't win. I do feel for Maloney as he is in great form but Pearce goes missing in big games at big times. Last years GF was won by SBW, Pearce did nothing just like he did in 12 origin games
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Over the moon that Hodkinson was the man to end Queensland's dominance - he deserves it.
Mark
Guest
Wasn't impressed with the halves and I must say if Pearce and Maloney were there we would have won by more but I am glad they weren't picked because as a Roosters supporter I would prefer they play for the Chooks not the blues.
Tony
Guest
DCE was covering Hoffman who was his man. It was the lazy inside defence that opened the gap. Great play though.
Johnnyball
Guest
Pure luck only
Mac
Guest
Well done Trent. I must have watched that passage of play 20 times since last week and his positioning is perfect. Robbie Farrah shapes to go right then hears the call from Trent and goes left. At first he can't see Hodkinson, so he throws a dummy then picks him out and put it on his chest and because Hoffman had been running straight all night on the left DCE was convinced he was getting the ball and stuck with him. No luck involved, just class and a cool head in a crunch moment. Trent saw an opportunity to win the series for NSW and he took it with both hands. Well done...