The Journeyman's Last Stop | Thebigtip

He never played for his state and he never wore the green and gold of the Kangaroos. But on Sunday at ANZ Stadium, Canterbury Bulldogs journeyman Michael Hodgson will still get the finish he deserves. Hodgson will retire a grand finalist.

Lance Hohaia, Shane Rodney and Michael Robertson will run out at 5pm Sunday afternoon with the Telstra premiership trophy on the line infront of an 80 000 strong crowd. Hours earlier and before far less people, Hodgson will play his last game of professional footy.

The hardworking prop will start from the bench for the Bulldogs against the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup decider which will kick grand final day off at midday.

By the time Tony Archer blows his whistle to begin the NRL Grand Final, Hodgson will have faded out of our memories. Hysteria no doubt kicking in as Manly and New Zealand rip each other to pieces.

It is sometimes a sad fact rugby league is such a business and loyalty has gone the way of the dodo. Because men like Hodgson deserve more from the game.

For 14 long years, Hodgson squeezed every last drop of talent he had out of his body. Constantly trying to hold down his spot in the team and always giving everything for the cause.

While attending St. Francis Xavier College, Hodgson played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1997. The Narromine kid’s star was on the rise.

But making the Australian Schoolboys doesn’t always mean you are destined for a glamorous career in the big time. For different reasons, many players never develop into the stars they were once expected to be.

Hodgson never had a drinking problem and he never had an ego. He simply just didn’t go to the next level. He quickly became a man that could be squeezed out of salary caps and moved on for younger players.

“I think that for someone with my lack of ability, I just toiled” Hodgson said.

“I never reached any great heights but I was lucky to play in the game as long as I have”.

There hasn’t been anything lucky about it. He has worked just as hard as any player in the game. He deserves every single one of his 204 first grade games.

Since signing with the Bulldogs from the Gold Coast Titans, Hodgson has spent the cold winter seasons living with his mate Andrew Ryan. Commuting from the family home in Canberra on a daily basis was just mad.

Even harder was the fact that while at the Titans, wife Sally and children Neve and Isla stayed in the Nation’s capital. Two long years supporting, but rarely seeing the people he loves the most in this world.

He is a man respected by his peers and the fans. By his family and his friends. On Sunday, Hodgson will give everything for his team. Just like he has so many times before.