Hodges makes mark in Broncos trial win

Classy centre Justin Hodges put behind over 500 days of inactivity to make an instant impression in Brisbane Broncos 26-4 NRL trial win over North Queensland Cowboys in Alice Springs on Saturday.

2011 NRL Trial Matches

Saturday 5/2/2011
Warriors 22 draw with Knights 22, Wingham Park, Greymouth

Friday 11/2/2011
Sea Eagles 18 defeat Sharks 0, Brookvale Oval, Brookvale
Tigers 22 defeat Cowboys 10, Brothers Rugby League Club, Kirwan

Saturday 12/2/2011
Warriors 24 defeat Parramatta 4, International Stadium, Rotorua
Bulldogs 24 defeat Roosters 22, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Broncos 42 defeat Titans 18, Kougari Oval, Wynnum

Sunday 13/2/2011
Dragons 32 defeat Rabbitohs 10, ANZ Stadium

Friday 18/2/2011
Dragons 28 defeat Bulldogs 14, WIN Stadium

Saturday 19/2/2011
Titans 42 defeat Rabbitohs 4, Coffs Harbour
Eels 30 defeat Tigers 10, Campbelltown Stadium
Broncos 26 defeat Cowboys 4, Alice Springs
Storm 24 defeat Raiders 4, Bega
Panthers 28 defeat Knights 22, Port Macquarie

Saturday 26/2/2011
Broncos v Storm Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe
Bulldogs v Raiders Scully Park, Tamworth
Cowboys v Titans Barlow Park, Cairns
Warriors v Sea Eagles North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Knights v Sharks Olympic Park, Muswellbrook
Panthers v Eels, Centrebet Stadium
Roosters v Tigers, SFS

The Queensland and Australian back created a try with his first touch of the ball, as the Broncos produced another strong win following last week's 42-18 crushing of the Titans.

Hodges entered the game in the 22nd minute as he made his long awaited return to action following an ankle injury which sidelined him for all of last season.

He pushed off three defenders to put Jordan Kahu over, as the Broncos entered halftime with a 14-0 advantage.

Josh Hoffman scored the Broncos' opening try in the 13th minute, with Corey Parker converting.

A 50-metre break from Hoffman set up the second try to winger Jack Reed.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

The Cowboys got on the board with a try to Kalifa Faifailoi who crossed in the 57th minute.

The Broncos reestablished their dominance in the final quarter with skipper Parker notching their third try and Reed completing a personal brace with a cracking individual effort with two minutes left.

Read more >>

Hodges 'busting' for comeback

Justin Hodges has promised to unleash the "full package" in his long-awaited playing comeback for Brisbane in Saturday night's pre-season trial against North Queensland Cowboys in Alice Springs.

NRL Tipping Be a better streaker than your mates! Get Tipping. Fantasy NRL Pick your team, beat your mates, bask in glory NRL Summer Snaps Gallery: Watch the NRL's best sweat it out over summer

The former Queensland and Australian centre's last game of rugby league was the preliminary final against Melbourne in September 2009.

A ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during pre-season training kept him off the field for the whole of 2010.

Brisbane weren't the same side without Hodges who is one those players who has a presence on the field at any level.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Two kilos heavier, refreshed and free of any judiciary baggage (carry over points and loading), Hodges said he was "busting" to play again.

And he said the big sidestep, the fend, the aggression and the abrasiveness he liked to rub opponents with were all still there.

"They're all still there, especially the aggression ... I think it's got even worse. I haven't played for a while or had anyone to take it out on," the 28-year-old said.

"It's been a while, it's been tough but there's only a few more days to wait."

At his best, Hodges is up with the game's genuine danger men.'

But it was probably his defensive influence Brisbane missed most last year.'

"I'm up a few kilos to 99kgs and I'm feeling fitter and stronger than ever," he said.

"I can't wait for Saturday night, to be honest, I'm dying for a game."

While Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday will miss the trip, coach Ivan Henjak has named a starting team which could contain up to nine players who'll figure in Brisbane's opening NRL game against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on March 11.

Peter Wallace will test out the shoulder he had surgically reconstructed during the off-season while Jack Reed, a Queensland Cup player with Norths, gets another run on the wing.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, had to cancel their flight to Alice Springs on Wednesday because of weather conditions associated with cyclone Carlos, which was bearing down on Darwin.

The Cowboys trained in Townsville and were rescheduled to fly out on Thursday.

Read more >>