News Parramatta Eels sign Josh Hodgson for 2023

jof

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:tearsofjoy:

Embattled Parramatta have landed a crucial blow in the player market after striking a deal for Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson to join the club.
Hodgson will link with the Eels from 2023, taking the place of Canterbury-bound Reed Mahoney at the end of next season.

The English international will provide experience and leadership to Parramatta, easing the pressure on halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses.

Hodgson has 12 months remaining on his current contract in the nation’s capital and his decision to join the Eels in 2023 could prompt Canberra to enter the market for a hooker to work alongside Tom Starling — Sydney Roosters No.9 Sam Verrills and Wests Tigers’ Jacob Liddle look set to explore their options.

Hodgson has been a pivotal figure at the Raiders over the past seven years, having joined the club from Super League side Hull and quickly become one of the most influential rakes the game.

His signing shapes as a coup for the Eels given the recent exodus from the club.

Mahoney, Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i have all agreed to join rival clubs from 2023, while the Eels are fighting to retain prop Junior Paulo.

Hodgson’s signing helps stem the tide at a time when Parramatta supporters are asking questions about the club’s recruitment and retention policy.

Meanwhile, Canberra, Parramatta and Canterbury have returned to the negotiating table as they edge towards a deal that will see Bailey Simonssson move to the Eels and Nick Cotric return to the nation’s capital.

The deal looked to have stalled earlier this week but it is understood the Raiders have held talks with the NRL salary cap department about how to accommodate Simonsson’s departure and Cotric’s arrival.

The Wests Tigers are also in the mix for Cotric but it is believed the NSW winger’s preference is to return to Canberra. Raiders officials are now optimistic that will indeed happen and hope to have something finalised in the coming days.

Cotric’s departure will free cap space for the Bulldogs as they attempt to create room for the arrival of Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
 

bradtalo

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Very much doubt we're getting Kikau or Mahoney early so can't see why we we would need to shed Cotric early. Are we frontloading someone ?

Hope we shed Thompson now too for 2023 if it means we get Paulo.

After the surprise with Kikau I wouldn't be surprised if Gould signed Ponga
 

flamebouyant

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Hahahaha "Eels signing coup!" Hodgson looked like he was getting towards the pointy end of his career this year, how will he look by the end of next year?
The only way this whole scenario plays out is if Hodgson goes to parra this year, Canberra take cotric, and we get Mahoney. I just can't see this working in our favour any other way.
 

bradyk

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Simonsson signed to according to FOX.
 

Benno Bulldog

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FMD there is something wrong with the Eels brain implosion 23 year old hooker for 33 year old hooker just tells the younger guys coming through we have no confidence they'll be going else where.
 

D0GMATIC

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Shit... thats like going out and buying an old bomb car thats falling apart but you have to wait for the owner to use it for another 12 months before its yours...
It would be funnier still if they paid as much or more for Hodgson as we paid for Mahoney
 

speedy2460

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Apparently Starling is in the bad books with Sticky. He was looking to find a way out and return to Sydney.
 
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