Josh Hodgson transfer latest takes shock u-turn

Canberra Raiders’ Josh Hodgson looked certain to be leaving the club for the Wests Tigers, but that might not be the case.

That’s according to Fox Sports, which claims that a move for the Englishman has been paused to enable Tim Sheens – Wests’ new Director of Football – to cast his eye over the Tigers’ squad.

Sheens took up his new role last week and his responsibility now includes looking at player recruitment and retention which has meant a delay in current contract negotiations.

The Green Machine had been willing to let the Englishman talk to other clubs in a bid to remove his substantial wage from the salary cap, with rookie Tom Starling expected to slot straight in as number one hooker.

However, Starling has been arrested 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.

With the English hooker on the market for over a year, it appears as though a stay in the capital could be the only thing left.