Former Test and Queensland centre Justin Hodges is to retire at the end NRL season.
Hodges, 33, had another year to go on his contract with Brisbane but said on Monday he had decided to forgo it.
“I just feel now is the right time to announce this so the team and I can concentrate on playing our best football for the Broncos for the rest of the season,” said Hodges.
A veteran of 245 NRL matches, Hodges has battled back from serious injury several times.
He made his NRL debut as a 17-year-old for Brisbane in the 2000 season, playing two seasons with the Broncos before heading south to the Sydney Roosters in 2002.
He returned to the Broncos from the 2005 season and featured in their 2006 grand final win over Melbourne.
He played 13 Tests for Australia from 2006 and 24 State of Origin matches for Queensland, only retiring from that arena after the Maroons’ series-clinching 52-6 win over NSW in July.
big J
Guest
k
Muzz
Guest
lol He was a very naughty boy that season. Nothing but a distraction.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Aw Daniel, that wasn't called for. The guy has been a mainstay of at least three teams for a number of years. Don't forget his two colossal blunders on Origin debut. If a bloke can take that sort of mental kicking and still rise above it , then to have his bad decision of going down to Sydney and have a run with the Roosters not pan out too well and deciding he belongs north of the tweed. Well if you think any of that doesn't speak volumes for the blokes character then you mustn't get out much.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What about 2004?
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Luckily they have him as an assistant coach, making room in the cap for the soon-to-be poached young guns, next year to show the team exactly how to pick the ball up at dummy half, tuck it under your arm and run. Very technical stuff that! He will also run a side course in grubiness and dog shots. ?
Muzz
Guest
Great career Hodgo especially 2002.
littleredrooster
Guest
Unfortunately Hodgo singlehandedly lost them the game against Canterbury the other night.
Big j
Guest
Great career for hodges but it should of been me, nah not really even when I played him in those schoolboy touramaents in 95 and 96 I knew there was something special about him. Hopefully he can go out on a winner, and all the best for the future, blessings mate.
AlanKC
Guest
Great career Hodgo, well done, and while it'd be nice for you to go out winning the GF I'm still hoping for the Cows to finally nail one!
Adsa
Guest
On ya Hodgo, loved your stuff.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Funny you should say that. Lyon is also a centre. It's a position that a few clubs are struggling to fill the position. If you cornered the market on centers at the moment you'd kill it. Just with my club we have Moga out. He's arguably our biggest loss this year. I wonder If Hodges leaving early was to free up some salary cap bananas. But a whole new topic could be a good write up about the dearth in quality centres. They are the unsung heroes of modern rugby y league. I'm still pleased he decided to go on his terms. B-)
ferret
Guest
So what are the Broncos going to do on the 4th tackle (in attack) now?
The Barry
Roar Guru
The man NSW love to hate. Super competitor and tough as teak to come back from serious injuries as often as he did. Pushed the line into grubbiness at times but sometimes that's what makes the great ones great. A stunning career no doubt but I've often wondered how good he could have been if he was able to play all his career at fullback which I thought was his best position. Thanks for the entertainment over the years and good luck post retirement.
Dutski
Guest
Always liked watching him. Shame to see him go but all the best to him.
planko
Roar Guru
up in the north .... I think this is to the detriment to the Bronco's every time I feel the same about Lyon he has a screamer....
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm pleased for him to hang up the boots on his terms -I imagine he had a few gentle suggestions by uncle Wayne - but all up he made the best decision. I really thought he was on the brink of another long term injury every time he played.
Jara W
Guest
The writing has been on the wall for a while now. But I'm super disappointed to hear the news. No one can argue that he couldn't have gone round a season or two longer. And focusing on the Broncos would have been great. Good on him for choosing to go out right on top though. Next year is still shaping up nicely. But the Broncos will undoubtedly miss him. Backline is pretty fresh faced without him. Consistency could be quite an issue with Copley and Reed in the centres.