Josh Hodgson stepped up as captain in the absence of Jarrod Croker at the start of 2017.
The English international led the team as they faced tough start to the year when they opened their account against this years’ runners up the North Queensland Cowboys and last years’ premiers the Cronulla Sharks.
Hodgson bagged his first try for 2017 at home to the New Zealand Warriors as he barged through from dummy half to catch out Shaun Johnson who was caught napping on the visitors’ defensive line.
The Raiders’ hooker also continued his explosive work from dummy half when he gathered the ball from Jack Wighton to race through under the posts and add another try for his tally in 2017, this time against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Unfortunately for Hodgson injury struck him down at a crucial time of the season as he sustained a calf injury in the green machine’s 30-20 loss against the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium. This injury ultimately forced him out of the Raiders next match which was a 31-18 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hodgson returned to the side and produced great form as he scored a try in Canberra’s convincing win over Cronulla in the Shire.
The English international average dover 36 tackles and contributed with nine try assists in 2017 as he now prepares to play a crucial role in England’s 2017 World Cup campaign.
