Eels lock in hooker succession plan: Hodgson to join Parramatta on two-year deal

The Parramatta Eels have locked in their post-Reed Mahoney hooker succession plan, signing up veteran rep star Josh Hodgson on a two-year deal. The move will see the former Raiders co-captain’s pay packet take a hefty cut.

The Eels have been on the hunt for a hooker replacement since Reed Mahoney — who will play one more season with the club — agreed to join the Canterbury Bulldogs after the 2022 season.

They have settled on veteran Josh Hodgson, who will join from the Raiders.

The Sporting Base originally reported Sam Verrills was Parramatta’s top choice, but after Hodgson’s talks with Wests Tigers fell through in recent weeks, the Eels pivoted to a more experienced pick. Their preference for Verrills was also due to his cheap salary costs, but a major pay haircut for Canberra’s former co-captain solves that issue for the club either way.

Hodgson is expected to earn around $400,000 each year for two years in Parramatta, which is a major shave from his $800k contract that he will earn for one more year in the nation’s capital.

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Hodgson will bring a wealth of NRL and international rugby league experience to the Eels, a factor the club admits was their main reason behind bringing him into their plans.

“We are thrilled to have Josh join our Club from 2023 as he brings strong leadership and a wealth of experience in such a key position,” Parramatta’s general manager Mark O’Neill said. “Josh has played for his country and has an incredible knowledge of the game which will add value to not only the NRL squad but our emerging juniors within our elite pathways.”

The English star has played over 270 games in the NRL and Super League since his 2009 debut, and has played more than two dozen international matches for England at the Four Nations and World Cup. Up until recently, the 32-year-old shared captaincy responsibilities while playing for the Green Machine.

O’Neill added: “I have no doubt he will have a big impact at our club on and off the field.”

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The Raiders hooker will be 33 by the time the 2023 season begins, which was a major reason why the Tigers decided to back out of their dealings at the eleventh hour — Wests prefers younger choices at no.9 as they rebuild their spine.

Parramatta powerbrokers seem to be less fussed by the veteran’s age, however, and chased Hodgson hard after they heard Wests had stepped away from the negotiating table. This may be due to their continuous interest in Sam Verrills — which has yet to wane — and their potential plans to turn Hodgson and Verrills into a 9-14 pivot in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Hodgson snapped up the deal due to his long-held want to move to Sydney.

Things in the movement department won’t happen for another 12 months though. Canberra has made it very clear they want Hodgson to see out his current contract, and are happy to pay him $800,000 for the 2022 season to make sure they have a strong hooker option in the squad. Ricky Stuart has already told his English star these plans.

The Eels reportedly sniffed around Api Koroisau when the Panthers star hit the open market too, but were beaten to the punch by the Tigers, who inked him onto a four-year deal this week.

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