Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
TRENT Hodkinson remembers the days when he would rise at 5am just to beat the morning traffic before slogging out another day of fixing fire sprinklers.
He remembers the feeling too, of those Friday afternoon's only a few years ago when a week's worth of elbow grease resulted in $500 arriving into his bank account.
If NSW are looking for a leader, someone to prepared to overcome eight-years of adversity, the Blues halfback might just be their man.
Trent Hodkinson during the 2014 NSW State of Origin team announcement. Source: News Corp Australia
NEW SOUTH WALES NAME THEIR ORIGIN SQUAD
PICK YOUR GREATEST EVER ORIGIN TEAM
Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds during the NSW State of Origin team announcement. Source: News Corp Australia
Chosen to make his Origin debut by NSW coach Laurie Daley, the Canterbury Bulldogs halfback has revealed how he never gave up after almost quitting the game altogether to instead complete the final year of an apprenticeship he now hopes he will never have to confront.
Hodkinson was on Tuesday named alongside club teammate Josh Reynolds as the Blues new-look halves pairing.
Renowned for his ability to remain calm and collected under pressure, Hodkinson spoke with deserving self-pride when asked at Tuesday's NSW team announcement in Sydney to recall his remarkable rise from obscurity.
PEARCE PAYS THE PRICE FOR BOOZY BLUNDER
PEARCE A NSW ORIGIN SCAPEGOAT: THURSTON
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
It was on the back of chronic knee and shoulder injuries which forced the 25-year-old to ply his trade with the Bulldogs NSW Cup side in 2012.
The same year at Canterbury, Reynolds and former half Kris Keating guided the Dogs towards the grand final.
Unable to see any light at the end of the tunnel, Hodkinson recalled how he almost threw in the towel and return to the only other employment option he had — fitting sprinklers.
Bulldogs Trent Hodkinson celebrates victory after he kicked the winning field goal. Source: News Corp Australia
"It was very tough. I questioned whether I would get back to first grade, or whether or not anything more,'' Hodkinson said.
"It was very dark times.
"I've got a sprinkler fitting trade. I've got maybe a year left on that, so I probably would've went back to that.
"When I was playing Jersey Flegg, back then I worked a full day and then going back to Parramatta (to train) of an afternoon.
BLUES TO TURN ORIGIN INTO DOGS OF WAR
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
"I was getting up about five o'clock to beat the traffic, I'd get there at six and try and have a half-hour snooze in the car and start 6.30- seven o'clock, have a full day there and finish about three and then get to training at Parramatta.
"I'd finish by seven and then go home.
"But I hung in there, obviously those thoughts (of quitting) did come into mind and here I am today.''
Bulldogs half Trent Hodkinson lines up a shot at goal. Source: News Corp Australia
Robbie Farah, Josh Reynolds, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings and Trent Hodkinson. Source: News Corp Australia
A tattoo of a Phoenix inked across Hodkinson's chest is a constant reminder of where he's come from, how close he came to losing it all and the turning point in his career.
"I got the phoenix on my chest and that represents a new beginning when I was going through all the tough injuries," he said.
"That's the time I got the tattoo on my chest, rising from the ashes. A new start, a new beginning.
"That meaning was all about the injuries, starting from fresh and starting again.''
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Asked what it was that got him to be standing among the likes of Blues veterans Luke Lewis, Paul Gallen and Anthony Watmough, Hodkinson paid tribute to his support network of friends and family.
"I had a lot of help from the staff at the Bulldogs, my parents and my partner [Chantelle] has to put up with my when I'm down in the dumps every day,'' Hodkinson said.
"She'd keep me motivated and positive. Combined with mum and dad and the staff at the Bulldogs, they all kept me positive."
Trent Hodkinson relaxes at North Cronulla Beach. Source: News Limited
Hodkinson will spend the next week in Blues camp attempting to instil the same level of confidence and composure he has displayed this season for the league-leading Dogs.
He admits his ying-yang combination alongside the effervescent Reynolds has proven crucial to his own form this season.
"He's a very energetic player, he's built for State of Origin and that's why we love him,'' Hodkinson said.
"He plays with his heart on his sleeve and you need someone like that on your team.
"I'm sort of the calm one and I guess our combination works well.
"Hopefully we can take our combination and our form from the Bulldogs, to the next level. I'm obviously excited.''
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Hodkinson’s a $500 a week miracle
Dengan url
http://sportfoxer.blogspot.com/2014/05/hodkinsonas-500-week-miracle.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Hodkinson’s a $500 a week miracle
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Hodkinson’s a $500 a week miracle
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar