Josh Hodgson’s days at Canberra appear numbered with talks underway to move the former Raiders captain to Wests Tigers.
Hodgson is contracted with the Raiders until the end of next season, but has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the club.
The latest of those is at the Tigers, where AAP understand there have been talks about a move for as soon as 2022.
Hodgson would be an ideal option for the Tigers, who have the solid Jacob Liddle at No.9.
Jake Simpkins is the other hooker on the Tigers’ roster, but he is aged just 19 and is still some time from reaching his best.
Both players swapped between the starting role at different points this season.
The Tigers still have three spots on their roster for next year after signing Tyrone Peachey last week, with more than $1 million in salary cap space available.
Hodgson started in all but one game this year for the Raiders, but Tom Starling is seen as the natural successor to his throne at hooker.
After being one of the key driving forces behind their grand final run in 2019, Hodgson relinquished the captaincy this season.
He was also critical of the club’s handling of George Williams’ exit, which turned ugly on the half’s demands that he was able to return to the UK.
If Hodgson was to push to move north, a deal would still need to be brokered by the two clubs on how much of Hodgson’s salary the Raiders would need to cover next season.
That could still remain a sticking point, with Hodgson on a considerable deal for 2022 that would still need to be honoured between the two teams.
AAP
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