As we count down to our final home game of the season and as we say goodbye to Trent Hodkinson, Bulldogs.com.au takes a look at the half-back's top five moments at the Bulldogs.
Hodkinson made the move from the Northern Beaches over the bridge to the Bulldogs, close to where he played his junior football.
Trent proved his quality during a tough first season with the club, playing 22 out of 24 matches for the year with his only absence coming through suspension. Blessed, with an old head, on young shoulders, much excitement was raised around him reuniting with former coach Des Hasler in 2012.
Trent endured a tough 2012 with a recurring knee injury as well as both of his shoulders seeing him take the field in only 4 matches.
Trent showed courage to get through two shoulder reconstructions as well as stem cell surgery on his knee to return in 2013, fighting hard to regain the number seven jersey, the goal kicking duties and playing 20 games for the season.
2014 was a breakout year for Hodkinson, which included guiding the Bulldogs to a Grand Final spot, leading New South Wales to their first Origin series win since 2005, ranked the number one goal kicker in the NRL and walking away with the Ken Stephen medal for his tireless work within the greater community.
He began the 2015 season off the back of a second round of stem cell surgery on his knee and although he had an up and down start to the season, the half was chosen for all three State of Origin matches, but unfortunately the Blues couldn’t replicate what happened the previous year.
Hodkinson has led a rejuvenated Bulldogs side off the back of the Origin series that has resulted in five wins from eight games and winning the past four on the trot but unfortunately the halfback’s season and fairy-tale end was cut short in round 25 against the Newcastle Knights with a serious wrist injury that required surgery.
Hodkinson finished with 92 NRL games, 55 wins, 12 tries, 11 field goals, 179 goals and 417 points.
MOMENT 4: Round 14, 2013
The Bulldogs and the Sea Eagles finished the 80 minutes locked at 30 all and the match was sent into golden point extra-time.
Both sides traded sets in the opening minutes of the first half before Josh Reynolds scooted from dummy half and was put in a dangerous position to draw the Bulldogs a penalty.
The penalty was given on the 50 metre line, but the mark was advanced 10 metres after the Sea Eagles players back chatted referee Shayne Hayne.
The Bulldogs elected to take the two points and Hodkinson had to kick the goal from 40 metres out.
As cool as he is, the half-back took his time, focused in and converted the penalty from 40 to give the Bulldogs a 32-30 win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
