Halfback Trent Hodkinson was farewelled at our final home game of the season and he spoke exclusively to Bulldogs.com.au about his time at the club.
Hodkinson will join the Newcastle Knights from 2016 on a three year deal.
The talented half 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 resulted in five wins from eight games before his season was cut short in round 25 against the Newcastle Knights with a serious wrist injury that required surgery.
"The last five years have been amazing and something I will never forget," said Hodkinson.
"I just want to thank everyone involved and all the members and fans for getting behind me."
Unfortunately Hodkinson's fairy tale end to his career in the Blue and White didn't end the way he wanted due to a wrist injurt that required surgery.
"I didn't want to go out this way, but that's footy some times."
The halfback will depart the club at season's end and had a message for our members and fans on how he would liked to be remebered during his time at the Bulldogs.
"I would like to be remembered as a player that gave his all, fought to the end and I hope I made them proud."
Hodkinson finished with 92 NRL games, 55 wins, 12 tries, 11 field goals, 179 goals and 417 points.
