GrogDog
bad attitude
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How Canterbury Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson inspired sick kid Callum Henderson
CALLUM Henderson is a name on a kicking tee. And already, you know the story.
Of the tee, that is.
http://resources1.news.com.au/image...6501-746d7c74-3fcb-11e4-b1b2-871c50b86f82.jpg
Not the Engadine schoolboy who complained of a headache earlier this year and, within weeks, was losing some of his eyesight, because, well, that’s the payoff when surgeons remove a dirty great tumour from your brain.
It was shortly after this that *Callum met Trent Hodkinson.
The Canterbury halfback visited this young Doggies fan in hospital at his lowest ebb because this is now what he does.
Johnathan Thurston gives out headgear. Todd Carney gives out headlines.
And Hodkinson visits sick kids.
Every week, sitting by the bedside of another little warrior before grabbing a thick black texta and scrawling their name onto his green kicking tee.
It’s one reason for hoping *Canterbury go all the way.
If only so another two names, another two young fighters, might know how it feels to be Callum.
This energetic Year 8 schoolboy who will be sitting somewhere in the crowd at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night when the Bulldogs play Manly.
Who early this week was asked by The Daily Telegraph to pen a* *letter explaining exactly what *Hodkinson, and rugby league, means to him.
And in part, he wrote: “At the start of the year my life was turned upside down . . . an extremely traumatic and terrifying experience.
“After the operation I was in a lot of pain. I remember sitting in a chair at the hospital and mum asking out of the blue ‘Who is your favourite Bulldogs player?’
“Instantly, I said ‘Trent Hodkinson’. And about five seconds later I was in shock . . . he walked into the room.”
Writing on, Callum explains how his mind went blank. How after managing to mumble out something about, “Geez, you’re a good kicker”, the NSW Origin star quickly put him at ease — with the pair enjoying a long conversation about things even more important than footy.
“It was a life-changing experience,’’ the teenager continues.
“Every fan of the NRL is emotionally attached to their team and every result is crucial to them.
“It’s the same for me. I would like to thank everyone at the Bulldogs who helped set this up . . . I will be forever grateful.”
And this is one story. One of over 20 yarns which, week after week, visit after visit, have been driving the Canterbury playmaker through undoubtedly the greatest season of his life.
Seemingly washed up 18 months ago, Hodkinson has played his Bulldogs into the finals. Played NSW to State of Origin glory and himself into a future.
Directing and scheming. Persisting and scoring. Providing, too, the type of superboot that way back in round nine against St George Illawarra, saw him kick five goals from one of those green, plastic tees.
A tee that was carrying the name of Callum Henderson.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...callum-henderson/story-fn2mcuj6-1227064440635
So let's remember what's important in life and how awesome these types of stories are in the grand scheme of things. Well done to TH and the doggies for caring. I hope this awesome kharma shines through against Manly tomoz night. I think we can all throw some positive energy towards our guys and let's hope they can perform to their best, if we do we will win.
CALLUM Henderson is a name on a kicking tee. And already, you know the story.
Of the tee, that is.
http://resources1.news.com.au/image...6501-746d7c74-3fcb-11e4-b1b2-871c50b86f82.jpg
Not the Engadine schoolboy who complained of a headache earlier this year and, within weeks, was losing some of his eyesight, because, well, that’s the payoff when surgeons remove a dirty great tumour from your brain.
It was shortly after this that *Callum met Trent Hodkinson.
The Canterbury halfback visited this young Doggies fan in hospital at his lowest ebb because this is now what he does.
Johnathan Thurston gives out headgear. Todd Carney gives out headlines.
And Hodkinson visits sick kids.
Every week, sitting by the bedside of another little warrior before grabbing a thick black texta and scrawling their name onto his green kicking tee.
It’s one reason for hoping *Canterbury go all the way.
If only so another two names, another two young fighters, might know how it feels to be Callum.
This energetic Year 8 schoolboy who will be sitting somewhere in the crowd at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night when the Bulldogs play Manly.
Who early this week was asked by The Daily Telegraph to pen a* *letter explaining exactly what *Hodkinson, and rugby league, means to him.
And in part, he wrote: “At the start of the year my life was turned upside down . . . an extremely traumatic and terrifying experience.
“After the operation I was in a lot of pain. I remember sitting in a chair at the hospital and mum asking out of the blue ‘Who is your favourite Bulldogs player?’
“Instantly, I said ‘Trent Hodkinson’. And about five seconds later I was in shock . . . he walked into the room.”
Writing on, Callum explains how his mind went blank. How after managing to mumble out something about, “Geez, you’re a good kicker”, the NSW Origin star quickly put him at ease — with the pair enjoying a long conversation about things even more important than footy.
“It was a life-changing experience,’’ the teenager continues.
“Every fan of the NRL is emotionally attached to their team and every result is crucial to them.
“It’s the same for me. I would like to thank everyone at the Bulldogs who helped set this up . . . I will be forever grateful.”
And this is one story. One of over 20 yarns which, week after week, visit after visit, have been driving the Canterbury playmaker through undoubtedly the greatest season of his life.
Seemingly washed up 18 months ago, Hodkinson has played his Bulldogs into the finals. Played NSW to State of Origin glory and himself into a future.
Directing and scheming. Persisting and scoring. Providing, too, the type of superboot that way back in round nine against St George Illawarra, saw him kick five goals from one of those green, plastic tees.
A tee that was carrying the name of Callum Henderson.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...callum-henderson/story-fn2mcuj6-1227064440635
So let's remember what's important in life and how awesome these types of stories are in the grand scheme of things. Well done to TH and the doggies for caring. I hope this awesome kharma shines through against Manly tomoz night. I think we can all throw some positive energy towards our guys and let's hope they can perform to their best, if we do we will win.
