Hodgson shrugs off Dally M talk
Josh Hodgson doesn’t rank himself among the best hookers in the NRL yet despite leading the Dally M voting after 12 rounds.
Hodgson is on 13 points for the award for the best player in the competition, equal with Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo and Sharks back-rower Andrew Fifita.
Broncos half Anthony Milford is on 11 points, Melbourne playmaker Cooper Cronk on 10 and the next highest hookers are Storm number 9 Cameron Smith on 10 points and Cronulla rake Michael Ennis on 10.
No Englishman has ever won the award.
Hodgson is enjoying a brilliant second season with the Raiders but doesn’t put himself alongside the likes of Smith, Ennis and Robbie Farah yet.
“I’ve still got work to go,” the England international told Love Rugby League.
“I’m not going to give myself any wraps or anything like that, I’ll just keep working hard and keep me head down.
“Whatever comes off the back of that is a bonus.”
Hodgson said the Dally M medal is not his focus but Canberra’s performances are.
“I’m not going too bad,” the former Hull KR hooker said.
“I still think there’s room to improve, but it’s not too bad up to now. I’m more worried about us as a team and making sure we’re getting the wins and climbing up the ladder.
“It’s been a bit up and down, a bit stop start. We’ve got a great squad here we just need that consistency in our games.
“There’s been a couple of close games that we’ve just fell short in and that’s down to our own doing.
“If we can fix a few of them up then there’s no reason why we won’t be up there.”
The Raiders are in seventh spot on the ladder with 13 points, after knocking off the Bulldogs 32-20 in the Australian capital.
Hodgson made 37 tackles and set up one try in the 12-point victory.
Canberra have won six, lost five and drawn one of their matches this season.
“We’ve been pretty good the last few weeks defensively but our attack’s been a little bit scratchy,” Hodgson said.
“If keep our consistency there, keep our defence up then we should have a few wins on the board.”