ethos
BroncoKiwi
Hodges to channel frustration
July 25th 2008 00:50
Category: Opinion
By Matthew Johns (aka BroncoKiwi)
Hodges' Big Test
This Friday nights clash between the Broncos and the Sharks proves to be a must see game, for more reasons than one.
Wayne Bennett has decided not to make wholesale changes to the underperforming Broncos outfit, despite implying such a move was on the cards after lasts weeks below par display against the Cowboys. Maybe he thinks his bark will do the trick or maybe he just doesn't really have quality depth sitting on the bench - that is certainly up for debate.
The game itself will act as a line in the sand for the Broncos. Bennett can only throw his arms up in the air so much before it starts to loose its intended effect. It's over to the team now to show they deserve their positions.
Aside from the expected interest in whether the team will in fact lift sufficiently to get this latest monkey off their backs, a more intriguing subject has caught my attention - the return of Justin Hodges.
In his own words "I obviously let them down because we struggled a bit there for a few weeks."
You can say that again!
“I am just hoping now we can build towards something at the end of the seven weeks of the season.” Hodges said.
I think any fan who has been watching would agree, the Broncos need to find the ON button on Friday night to have any real hope of beating a well oiled team in the Sharks.
Hodges should add some real passion to the side, passion that is only really matched by Michael Ennis and Karmichael Hunt, who between them have got more worked up and excited than the rest of the team put together in the last couple of months.
But can Justin control the frustration that builds when being forced to watch from the sidelines? Or will he try and take on the world, do it himself, and forget he is part of a team?
Hodges is a fine player, one of the best and he has certainly grown into a leadership role at Red Hill, but Friday night at Suncorp Stadium will be a real test of his mental strength.
As an individual this looms as his biggest challenge yet.
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Comment by ethos
NRL Live
The Golden Point
It will be interesting to see how Hodges comes back. I don't think we should expect any miracles from him tonight though (although it would be nice!).
It'll take him a few weeks to get back in the groove.