Josh Hodgson’s shock transfer in jeopardy as saga takes new twist

Josh Hodgson’s transfer to the Wests Tigers is beginning to drag out, with Canberra Raiders unwilling to move on the amount of wages they are prepared to pay in a deal.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Tigers are still chasing the English hooker as one of their main targets, but that the sticking point over money could derail the transfer.

Hodgson’s wage is thought to be very significant with the Raiders keen to release that financial burden on their salary, but Wests appear unlikely to pay the full packet for his services.

Canberra are, however, keen to promote from within with Tom Starling gearing up to be first choice number nine from 2022 onwards – which could be the final nail in Hodgson’s Raiders career.

However, Starling has been spoken to by police in New South Wales for the second time in under a year after trying to attend a club – only to be refused entry – which could jeopardise Starling’s future at Canberra, as well as potentially throwing Hodgson’s transfer away from the Raiders into question.

Hodgson has been a firm fan favourite in the Australian capital since joining in 2015, with over 150 games under his belt for the Raiders, but his contract runs out at the end of 2022 and Canberra are keen to part ways now.