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Is replacing young gun Reed Mahoney with an ageing Josh Hodgson a gamble the Eels should be taking?

10th December, 2021
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10th December, 2021
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Parramatta are taking a gamble on signing Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson to replace Reed Mahoney in 2023 as the English veteran will be 33 by the time he suits up in a game for the Eels 15 months from now.

They have formally announced Hodgson’s signing on a two-year contract and also added Canberra utility back Bailey Simonsson, who will make the switch immediately on a three-season deal.

The Eels needed to bolster their dummy-half stocks after fringe Maroons representative Reed Mahoney recently inked a lucrative deal with Canterbury for 2023.

Hodgson is a fine player who has had a stellar career in the Super League, the NRL and the Test arena but not everyone is Cameron Smith and can maintain elite form deep into their 30s.

He has been durable for most of his career, playing 20 games last season, but he did miss plenty of time prior to that due to a couple of serious leg injuries, managing only a combined 44 games the previous three years.

Hodgson has a lot of miles on those legs from more than 270 games in England and Australia plus another 23 Tests – hopefully, the Eels get value for money but history tells us the decline can be swift when players are in their mid 30s.

Eels general manager Mark O’Neill is confident Hodgson will bring “strong leadership and a wealth of experience in such a key position”.

“Josh has played for his country and has an incredible knowledge of the game which will add value to not only the NRL squad but our emerging juniors within our elite pathways,” he said in a club statement issued on Friday.

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“I have no doubt that he will have a big impact at our club both on and off the field.”

Brandon Smith looks to pass.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

With Storm star Brandon Smith all but certain to link with the Roosters in 2023, there will be plenty of movement among hookers in the NRL.

Roosters premiership-winning No.9 Sam Verrills had been floated as a possible option for the Eels – he is under contract until the end of 2024 and there has been no indication yet that he will look elsewhere if Smith heads to Bondi Junction, as expected.

The 22-year-old, who scored a try in the 2019 grand final, has shown over the course of 33 NRL games, interrupted by an ACL tear, that he is a starting-level hooker and will attract plenty of interest if he seeks a release because of Smith’s arrival.

Wests Tigers duo Jacob Liddle and Jake Simpkin would also have to get a release to be free agents in 2023 but with the club bringing in Panthers hooker Api Koroisau, they could also be potential signings targets.

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They’re both in the early stages of their career and yet to prove they can consistently fill a starting hooker role at NRL level but could develop into top-line talents.

The hooker who should be in great demand for 2023 is Brisbane’s Jake Turpin. He’s held the under-performing Broncos together many times the past couple of years and would thrive in a finals-contending team.

With the Dolphins expansion side coming into the competition a hop, skip and a jump away in Redcliffe, it would be a surprise if Brisbane don’t try to re-sign him sooner rather than later.

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